'- 


u 


2) 


J 


ps\  MuNf^oe 


&/j/rn(UpJ>r**</f: 


THROUGH   SWAMP   AND   GLADE 


A     i-.KI  A  I     Mil 


1  I   \Ml      1  I  A II  1 .    FROM    THE    ROADSIDE 


THROUGH 
SWAMP    AND    GLADE 


A   TALE  OF 
THE    SEMINOLE    WAR 


BY 


KIRK   MUNROE 

AUTHOR  OF  "THE  WHITE  CONQUERORS,"    "AT  WAR  WITH 
PONTIAC,"    ETC.,   ETC. 


ILLUSTRATED  BY  VICTOR  PERARD 


NEW   YORK 

CHARLES    SCRIBNER'S    SONS 

1896 


COPYRIGHT,    1896,   BY 
CHARLES   SCRIBNER'S   SONS 


Nortoooti  ^Brrss 

,1    .v    Coahillfl  .V  Co  -  Berwick  „<:  Smith. 
Norwood  Mass.  U.S.A. 


TO   MY   READERS 

The  principal  incidents  in  the  story  of  Coacoo- 
cliee,  as  related  in  the  following  pages,  are  histori- 
cally true.  The  Seminole  War,  the  most  protracted 
struggle  with  Indians  in  which  the  United  States 
ever  engaged,  lasted  from  1835  to  1842.  At  its 
conclusion,  though  most  of  the  tribe  had  been  re- 
moved to  the  Indian  Territory  in  the  far  west,  there 
still  remained  three  hundred  and  one  souls  uncap- 
tured  and  unsubdued.  This  remnant  had  fled  to 
the  almost  inaccessible  islands  of  the  Big  Cypress 
Swamp,  in  the  extreme  southern  part  of  Florida. 
Rather  than  undertake  the  task  of  hunting  them 
out,  General  Worth  made  a  verbal  treaty  with  them, 
by  which  it  was  agreed  that  they  should  retain  that 
section  of  country  unmolested,  so  long  as  they  com- 
mitted no  aggressions.  From  that  time  they  have 
kept  their  part  of  that  agreement  to  the  letter, 
living  industrious,  peaceful  lives,  and  avoiding  all 
unnecessary  contact  with  the  whites.  They  now 
number  something  over  five  hundred  souls,  but  the 

Mi893vi 


vi  TO   MY   READERS 

tide  of   white  immigration  is  already  lapping  over 

the  ill-defined  boundaries  of  their  reservation,  while 

white   land-grabbers,    penetrating  the   swamps,   are 

seizing  their  fertile  islands  and  bidding  them  begone. 

They  stand  aghast  at  this  brutal  order.     Where  can 

they  go?     What  is  to  become  of  them?     Is  there 

ii( ttliing  left  but  to  fight  and  die?     It  would  seem 

not. 

KIRK  MUNROE. 

Biscatne  Bay,  Florida,  1896. 


TABLE   OF   CONTENTS 

CHAPTER 

I.  A  Bit  of  the  Florida  Wilderness     . 

II.  Mr.  Troup  Jeffers  plots  Mischief     . 

III.  The  Slave-Catchers  at  Work     . 

IV.  Capture  and  Escape  of  Nita  Pacheco 

V.     A  Forest  Betrothal 

VI.     Cruel  Death  of  Ul-we,  the  Staghound     . 

VII.       COACOOCHEE     IN    THE     CLUTCHES    OF    WHITE    RuF 
FIANS 

VIII.     Ralph  Boyd  the  Englishman 
IX.     Mysterious  Disappearance  of  a  Sentinel 


X.     Fontaine  Salano's  Treachery  and  its  Reward       74 


XL     "The  Seminole  must  go  "     . 
XII.     Chen-o-waii  is  Stolen  by  the  Slave-Catchers 

XIII.  "Wiley  Thompson,  where  is  my  Wife?" 

XIV.  Osceola  signs  the  Treaty    .... 

vii 


page 

1 

9 
17 

26 
34 
43 

52 

60 
67 


82 

88 

96 

102 


TABLE   OF   CONTENTS 


PAGE 


CHAPTER 

XV.  Locis  Pacheco  bides  his  Time         .        .         .111 

XVI.    Osceola's  Revenge 119 

XVII.  On  mi:  Verge  of  the  Wahoo  Swamp    .         .  126 

XVIII.  Coacoochee's  First  Battle     ....  133 

XIX.  Ralph  Boyd  and  the  Slave-Catcher     .        .  141 

XX.  Ax  Alligator  and  his  Mysterious  Assailant  148 

XXI.  Battle  of  the  Withlacoochee       .         .         .  156 

XXII.  The  Young  Chief  makes  a  Timely  Discovery  1G5 

XXIII.  Shakespeare  in  the  Forest    ....  171 

XXIV.  Bogus  [ndians  and  the  Real  Article  .         .  181 
XXV.  A  Swamp  Stronghold  of  the  Seminoles       .  190 

XXVI.  Two  Spies  and  their  Fate      ....  200 

XXVII.  Anstice  saves  the  Life  of  a  Captive  .         .  211 

XXVIII.  Tin:  Mask  of  the  Wildcat     .         .         .         .222 

XXIX.  Treacherous    Capture   of   Coacoochee   and 

Osceola  ........  233 

XXX.  Is  the   Dungeons  OF  the  Ancient  Fortress.  245 

XXXI.     A  Daring  Escape 255 

XXXII.  Xn\  sears  him  Coacoochee  is  Dead.        .  2G4 

\X\III.  Told  r.v  the  Magnolia  Spring       .        .        .  274 

XXXIV.  Following    \   Mysterious  Trail      .        .        .  285 


TABLE   OF   CONTENTS 


IX 


CHAPTER  PAGE 

XXXV.  Fate  of  the  Slave-Catchers  ....     296 

XXXVI.  Peace  is  again  Proposed          .         .         .  .300 

XXXVII.  COACOOCHEE    IS    AGAIN    MADE    PRISONER         .  .       316 

XXXVIII.  Douglass  fulfils  his  Mission          .        .  .     326 

XXXIX.  The  Bravest  Girl  in  Florida         .         .  .336 

XL.  A  Double  Wedding  and  the  Setting  Sun  .     346 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS 

FACING 
PAGE 

A    GREAT     SHEET     OF    FLAME      LEAPED      FROM     THE      ROADSIDE 

Frontispiece 
Then   with    a    vicious    hiss    the    rawhide    swept    down 

WITH  THE  FULL  FORCE  OF  THE  ARM  THAT  WIELDED  IT  .    58 

It  sunk  deep  into  the  wood  of  the  table  and  stood 

QUIVERING    AS    THOUGH    WITH    RAGE 10° 

"TO    LEAB    BEHINE    DE    ONLIEST    FEDDERBED    SHE    DONE    GOT  "       174 

The  girl  stepped  close  to  the  young  chief  and  spoke 

.     216 
a  few  words 

Hadjo  lost  his  hold   of   the   rope   and   came  tumbling 

DOWN    THE    WHOLE    DISTANCE 2,,° 

NlTA    SAT   BY   HER   FAVORITE    SPRING 27(i 

"All  is   lost  and  the  war  is   about    to    break    forth 

"  324 

WITH  GREATER  FURY  THAN  EVER 


THROUGH   SWAMP   AND    GLADE 

CHAPTER   I 

A   BIT   OF   THE    FLORIDA    WILDERNESS 

The  scene  is  laid  in  Florida,  that  beautiful  land 
of  the  far  south,  in  which  Ponce  de  Leon  located 
the  fabled  Spring  of  Eternal  Youth.  It  is  a  land 
of  song  and  story,  of  poetry  and  romance ;  but  one 
also  of  bitter  memories  and  shameful  deeds.  Its 
very  attractiveness  has  proved  its  greatest  curse, 
and  for  weary  years  its  native  dwellers,  who  loved 
its  soil  as  dearly  as  they  loved  their  own  lives, 
fought  desperately  to  repel  the  invaders  who 
sought   to    drive   them    from    its   sunny   shores. 

Although  winter  is  hardly  known  in  Florida, 
still  there,  as  elsewhere,  spring  is  the  fairest  and 
most  joyous  season  of  the  year,  and  it  is  with 
the  evening  of  a  perfect  April  day  that  this  story 
opens. 

The  warm  air  was  pleasantly  stirred  by  a  breeze 
that  whispered  of  the  boundless  sea,  and  the  glowing 


2  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

sun  would  shortly  sink  to  rest  in  the  placid  bosom 
of  the  Mexican  Gulf.  From  the  forest  came  sweet 
scents  of  yellow  jasmine,  wild  grape,  and  flowering 
plumes  of  the  palmetto  mingled  with  richer  perfumes 
from  crange  blossoms,  magnolias,  and  sweet  bays. 
Gorgeous  butterflies  hovered  on  the  edge  of  the 
hammock  and  sought  resting-places  for  the  night 
amid  the  orange  leaves.  Humming-birds,  like  living 
jewels,  darted  from  flower  to  flower;  bees  golden 
with  pollen  and  freighted  with  honey  winged  their 
flight  to  distant  combs.  From  a  ti-ti  thicket  came 
the  joyous  notes  of  a  mocking-bird,  who  thus  unwit- 
tingly disclosed  the  secret  of  his  hidden  nest.  A 
bevy  of  parakeets  in  green  and  gold  flashed  from 
branch  to  branch  and  chattered  of  their  own  affairs ; 
while  far  overhead,  flocks  of  snowy  ibis  and  white 
curlew  streamed  along  like  fleecy  clouds  from  feed- 
ing-grounds on  the  salt  marshes  of  the  distant  coast 
to  rookeries  in  the  cypress  swamps  of  the  crooked 
Ocklawaha.  Some  of  these  drifting  bird-clouds 
were  tinted  or  edged  with  an  exquisite  pink,  denot- 
ing the  presence  of  roseate  spoonbills,  and  the  effect 
of  their  rapid  movement  against  the  deep  blue  of 
the  heavens,  in  the  flash  of  the  setting  sun  was  inde- 
scribably beautiful. 

Amid  this  lavish  display  of  nature's  daintiest 
handiwork  and  in  all  the  widespread  landscape  of 
hammock  and  savanna,  trackless  pine  forest  that  had 
never  known  the  woodman's  axe,  and  dimpled  lakes 


A   BIT   OF   THE   FLORIDA   WILDERNESS  3 

of  which  a  score  might  be  counted  from  a  slight  ele- 
vation, but  one  human  being  was  visible.  A  youth 
just  emerged  from  boyhood  stood  alone  on  the  edge 
of  a  forest  where  the  ground  sloped  abruptly  down 
to  a  lakelet  of  crystal  water.  He  was  clad  in  a  loose- 
fitting  tunic  or  hunting-frock  of  doeskin  girded 
about  the  waist  by  a  sash  of  crimson  silk.  In  this 
was  thrust  a  knife  with  a  silver-mounted  buckhorn 
handle  and  encased  in  a  sheath  of  snakeskin.  His 
hair,  black  and  glossy  as  the  wing  of  a  raven,  was 
bound  by  a  silken  kerchief  of  the  same  rich  color  as 
his  sash.  The  snow-white  plume  of  an  egret  twined 
in  his  hair  denoted  him  to  be  of  rank  among  his  own 
people.  He  wore  fringed  leggings  of  smoke-tanned 
deerskin,  and  moccasins  of  the  same  material.  The 
lad's  features  were  handsome  and  clear  cut,  but  his 
expression  was  gentle  and  thoughtful  as  might  be- 
come a  student  rather  than  a  mere  forest  rover. 
And  so  the  lad  was  a  student,  though  of  nature,  and 
a  dreamer  not  yet  awakened  to  the  stern  realities 
of  life  ;  but  that  the  mysteries  of  books  were  un- 
known to  him  might  be  inferred  from  a  glance  at 
his  skin.  It  was  of  a  clear  copper  color,  resembling 
new  bronze;  for  Coacoochee  (little  wild  cat)  belonged 
to  the  most  southern  tribe  of  North  American  Ind- 
ians, the  Seminoles  of  Florida.  Indian  though  he 
was,  he  was  of  noble  birth  and  descended  from  a 
long  line  of  chieftains  ;  for  he  was  the  eldest  son 
of   Philip    Emathla  (Philip  the   leader),   or  "King 


4  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

Philip,"  as  the  whites  termed  him,  and  would  some 
day  be  a  leader  of  his  tribe. 

Now,  as  the  lad  stood  leaning  on  a  light  rifle  and 
gazing  abstractedly  at  the  glistening  clouds  of  home- 
returning  birds  that  flecked  the  glowing  sky,  his 
face  bore  a  far-away  look  as  though  his  thoughts  had 
outstripped  his  vision.  This  was  not  surprising  ; 
for  to  all  men  Coacoochee  was  known  as  a  dreamer 
who  beguiled  the  hours  of  many  an  evening  by  the 
camp-fire  with  the  telling  of  his  dreams  or  of  the  folk- 
lore tales  of  his  people.  Not  only  was  he  a  dreamer 
of  dreams  and  a  narrator  of  strange  tales  ;  but  he 
was  a  seer  of  visions,  as  had  been  proved  very  re- 
cently when  death  robbed  him  of  his  dearly  loved 
twin  sister  Allala. 

At  the  time  Coacoochee  was  many  miles  away 
from  his  father's  village,  on  a  hunting-trip  with  his 
younger  brother  Otulke.  One  night  as  they  slept 
the  elder  brother  started  from  his  bed  of  palmetto 
leaves  with  the  voice  of  Allala  ringing  in  his  ears. 
All  was  silent  about  him,  and  Otulke  lay  undis- 
turbed by  his  side.  As  the  lad  wondered  and  was 
about  to  again  lie  down,  his  own  name  was  uttered 
softly  but  plainly,  and  in  the  voice  of  Allala,  while 
at  the  same  moment  her  actual  presence  seemed  to 
be  beside  him. 

It  was  a  summons  that  he  dared  not  disobey;  so, 
without  rousing  Otulke,  the  young  hunter  sprang 
on  the   back    of   his   pony  and  sped  away  through 


A   BIT   OF   THE    FLORIDA   WILDERNESS  5 

the  moonlight.  At  sunrise  he  stood  beside  the 
dead  form  of  the  dear  sister  whose  fleeting  spirit 
had  called  him. 

Since  then  he  had  often  heard  Allala's  voice  in  the 
winds  whispering  through  tall  grasses  of  the  glades, 
or  among  nodding  flags  on  the  river  banks;  in  waters 
that  sang  and  rippled  on  the  lake  shore;  from 
shadowy  depths  of  the  hammocks,  and  amid  the 
soft  sighings  of  cypress  swamps.  Fus-chatte  the 
red-bird  sang  of  her,  and  pet-che  the  wood  dove 
mourned  that  she  was  gone.  To  Coacoochee,  she 
seemed  ever  near  him,  and  he  longed  for  the  time 
when  he  might  join  her.  But  he  knew  that  he  must 
be  patient  and  await  the  presence  of  the  Great 
Spirit,  for  he  believed  that  the  hour  of  his  own 
death  had  been  named  at  that  of  his  birth.  He  also 
•knew  that  until  the  appointed  time  he  would  escape 
all  dangers  unharmed.  He  felt  certain  that  Allala 
watched  over  him  and  would  warn  him  of  either 
death  or  great  danger.  Being  thus  convinced,  the 
lad  was  absolutely  without  fear  of  dangers  visible 
or  unseen;  and,  dreamer  that  he  was,  often  amazed 
his  companions  by  deeds  of  what  seemed  to  them 
the  most  reckless  daring. 

At  the  moment  of  his  introduction  to  the  reader 
Coacoochee,  bathed  in  the  full  glory  of  the  setting 
sun,  wondered  if  the  place  to  which  Allala  had  gone 
could  be  fairer  or  more  beautiful  than  that  in  which 
he  lingered. 


6  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

Although  he  was  without  human  companionship 
he  was  not  alone ;  for  beside  him  la}r  Ul-we  (the  tall 
one),  a  great  shaggy  staghound  that  the  young 
Indian  had  rescued  three  years  before  from  the 
wreck  of  an  English  ship  that  was  cast  away  on  the 
lonely  coast  more  than  one  hundred  miles  from  the 
nearest  settlement.  Coacoochee  with  several  com- 
panions was  searching  for  turtle-eggs  on  the  beach, 
and  when  they  boarded  the  stranded  vessel,  a 
wretched  puppy  very  nearly  dead  from  starvation 
was  the  only  living  creature  they  found.  The  Indian 
boy  took  the  little  animal  for  his  own,  restored  it  to 
life  through  persistent  effort,  nursed  it  through  the 
ills  of  puppyhood,  and  was  finally  rewarded  by  hav- 
ing the  waif  thus  rescued  develop  into  the  superb 
hound  that  now  lay  beside  him,  and  whose  equal  for 
strength  and  intelligence  had  never  been  known  in 
Florida.  The  love  of  the  great  dog  for  his  young 
master  was  touching  to  behold,  while  the  affection 
of  Coacoochee  for  him  was  only  excelled  by  that  felt 
for  his  dearest  human  friend. 

This  friend  was  a  lad  of  his  own  age  named  Louis 
Pacheco,  who  was  neither  an  Indian  nor  wholly  a 
paleface.  He  was  the  son  of  a  Spanish  indigo 
planter  and  a  beautiful  octoroon  who  had  been  given 
her  freedom  before  the  birth  of  her  boy.  The  Sehor 
Pacheco,  whose  plantation  lay  near  the  village  of 
King  Philip,  had  always  maintained  the  most  friendly 
relations  with  his  Indian  neighbors  ;  and,  Louis  hav- 


A   BIT   OF   THE   FLORIDA   WILDERNESS  7 

ing  one  sister,  as  had  Coacoochee,  these  four  were 
united  in  closest  intimacy  from  their  childhood. 

At  the  death  of  the  indigo  planter  his  family 
removed  to  a  small  estate  owned  by  the  mother,  on 
the  Tomoka  River,  some  fifty  miles  from  their  old 
home;  but  this  removal  in  nowise  weakened  their 
friendship  with  the  red-skinned  dwellers  by  the  lake. 
Frequent  visits  were  exchanged  between  the  younger 
members  of  the  two  families,  and  when  Allala 
was  taken  to  the  spirit  land,  none  mourned  her  loss 
longer  or  more  sincerely  than  Louis  and  Nita 
Pacheco. 

Louis,  being  well  educated  by  his  father,  taught 
Coacoochee  to  speak  fluently  both  English  and 
Spanish  in  exchange  for  lessons  in  forest  lore  and 
woodcraft.  The  young  Creole  was  as  proud  of  his 
lineage  as  was  the  son  of  Philip  Emathla,  and  bore 
himself  as  became  one  born  to  a  position  of  freedom 
and  independence. 

It  was  some  months  since  he  and  Coacoochee  had 
last  met,  and  at  the  moment  of  his  introduction  to 
us  the  latter  was  thinking  of  his  friend  and  medi- 
tating a  visit  to  him.  It  would  seem  as  though 
these  thoughts  must  have  been  induced  by  some  sub- 
tle indication  of  a  near-by  presence ;  for  the  youth 
was  hardly  conscious  of  them  ere  Ul-we  sprang  to 
his  feet  with  an  ominous  growl  and  dashed  into  the 
thicket  behind  them.  At  the  same  moment  the  young 
Indian  heard  his  own  name  pronounced  in  a  faint 


8  THROUGH   SWAMP   AND  GLADE 

voice,  and  wheeling  quickly,  caught  sight  of  a  white, 
wild-eyed  face  that  he  instantly  recognized.  Ul-we 
had  but  time  to  utter  one  joyful  bark  before  his 
young  master  stood  beside  him  and  was  supporting 
the  fainting  form  of  Nita  Pacheco  in  his  arms. 


CHAPTER   II 

MR.    TROUP  JEFFERS  PLOTS   MISCHIEF 

For  a  full  understanding  of  this  startling  inter- 
ruption of  the  young  Indian's  meditations  it  is  neces- 
sary to  make  a  brief  excursion  among  the  dark 
shadows  of  a  history  which,  though  now  ancient  and 
well-nigh  forgotten,  was  then  fresh  and  of  vital 
interest  to  those  whose  fortunes  we  are  about  to 
follow. 

Florida  had  only  recently  been  purchased  by  the 
United  States  from  Spain  for  five  millions  of  dollars, 
and  its  vast  territory  thrown  open  to  settlement. 
Being  the  most  nearly  tropical  of  our  possessions,  it 
offered  possibilities  found  in  no  other  part  of  the 
country,  and  settlers  flocked  to  it  from  all  directions. 
As  the  Spaniards  had  only  occupied  a  few  places 
near  the  coast,  the  interior  had  been  left  to  the  un- 
disturbed possession  of  the  Seminoles  and  their  negro 
allies.  The  ancestors  of  these  negroes  escaping  from 
slavery  had  sought  and  found  a  safe  refuge  in  this 
beautiful  wilderness.  By  Spanish  law  they  became 
free  at  the  moment  of  crossing  the  frontier  boundary 
line,  and  here  their  descendants  dwelt  for  generations 
in  peace  and  happiness. 


10  THROUGH   SWAMP   AND   GLADE 

With  the  change  of  owners  came  a  sad  change  of 
fortunes  to  the  native  inhabitants  of  this  sunny  land. 
The  swarming  settlers  cast  envious  glances  at   the 
fertile  fields  of   the  Seminoles,  and  determined   to 
possess    them.     They   longed   also   to   enslave    the 
negro  friends  and  allies  of  the  Indians,  whom  they 
discovered  to  be  enjoying  a  degree  of  freedom  and 
prosperity  entirely  contrary  to  their  notions  of  what 
was  right  and  fitting.     Slavery  was  a  legally  recog- 
nized   institution    of    the   country.     The   incoming 
settlers  had  been  taught  and  believed  that  men  of 
black  skins  were  created  to  be  slaves  and  laborers 
for  the  benefit  of  the  whites.     Therefore  to  see  these 
little  communities  of  black  men  dwelling  in  a  state 
of  freedom  and  working  only  for  themselves,  their 
wives,  and   children  was   intolerable.     Slaves  were 
wanted  to  clear  forests  and  cultivate  fields,  and  here 
were  hundreds,  possibly  thousands,  of  them  to  be  had 
for  the  taking.     The  villages  of  these  negroes  and 
those  of  their  Indian  allies  were  also  affording  places 
of  refuge  for  other  blacks  who  were  constantly  escap- 
ing from  the  plantations  of  neighboring  states,  and 
seeking  that  liberty  guaranteed  by  the  Constitution 
of  the  United  States  to  all  men.     This  condition  of 
affairs  could  not  be  borne.     Both  the  Indians  and 
the  free  negroes  of  Florida  must  be  taught  a  lesson. 
General  Andrew  Jackson  was  the  man  chosen  to 
teach  this  lesson,  and  he  entered  upon  the  congenial 
task  with  a  hearty  relish.     Marching  an  army  into 


MR.    TROUP  JEFFERS   PLOTS   MISCHIEF  11 

Florida,  he  killed  all  the  Indians  whom  he  encoun- 
tered, killed  or  captured  all  the  negroes  whom  he 
could  find,  burned  villages,  destroyed  crops,  and 
finally  retired  from  the  devastated  country  with  a 
vast  quantity  of  plunder,  consisting  principally  of 
slaves  and  cattle. 

To  impress  this  lesson  more  fully  upon  the  Indians, 
General  Jackson  compelled  an  American  vessel  lying 
in  Appalachicola  Bay  to  hoist  British  colors  in  the 
hope  of  enticing  some  of  them  on  board.  Two 
Seminole  chiefs,  deceived  by  this  cowardly  ruse,  did 
venture  to  visit  the  supposed  British  ship.  When 
they  were  safely  on  board,  his  Majesty's  ensign  was 
hauled  clown,  that  of  the  United  States  was  run  up, 
and  beneath  its  folds  the  too  confiding  visitors  were 
hanged  to  the  yard-arms  without  trial  or  delay. 

After  this  General  Jackson  summoned  the  Indians 
to  come  in  and  make  a  treaty  ;  but  they  were  fearful 
of  further  treachery,  and  hesitated.  Finally  some 
thirty  warriors  out  of  the  entire  tribe  were  bribed  to 
lay  aside  their  fears  and  meet  the  Commissioners. 
These  signed  a  treaty  by  which  the  Seminoles  were 
required  to  abandon  their  homes,  villages,  fields, 
and  hunting-grounds,  in  the  northern  part  of  the 
territory,  and  retire  to  the  distant  southern  wilder- 
ness, where  they  would  be  at  liberty  to  clear  new 
lands  and  make  new  homes.  The  tribe  was  also 
bound  by  the  treaty  to  prevent  the  passage,  through 
their  country,  of  any  fugitive  slave,  and  to  deliver 


12  THROUGH   SWAMP   AND   GLADE 

all  such  seeking  refuge  among  them  to  any  persons 
claiming  to  be  their  owners. 

The  United  States  on  its  part  promised  to  com- 
pensate the  Indians  for  such  improvements  as  the)' 
were  compelled  to  abandon,  to  allow  them  five  thou- 
sand dollars  annually  in  goods  and  money  for  twenty 
years,  to  feed  them  for  one  year,  and  to  furnish  them 
with  schools. 

With  the  signing  of  this  alleged  treaty  the  trials 
and  sufferings  of  the  Seminoles  began  in  earnest. 
They  were  literally  driven  from  their  old  homes,  so 
eager  were  the  whites  to  possess  their  fertile  lands. 
Most  of  their  promised  rations  of  food  was  withheld, 
that  they  might  be  induced  by  starvation  the  more 
speedily  to  clear  and  cultivate  new  fields  in  the 
south.  The  goods  issued  to  them  were  of  such 
wretched  quality  that  they  were  contemptuously 
rejected  or  thrown  away  ;  and  on  one  pretext  or 
another  nearly  the  whole  of  their  cash  annuity  was 
declared  forfeited.  The  most  common  excuse  for 
thus  defrauding  the  Indians  was  that  they  did  not 
display  sufficient  activity  in  capturing  the  negroes 
who  had  sought  refuge  in  their  country. 

Any  white  man  desirous  of  procuring  a  slave  had 
but  to  describe  some  negro  whom  he  knew  to  be  liv- 
ing among  the  Seminoles  and  file  a  claim  to  him  with 
the  Indian  agent.  The  latter  then  notified  the  Ind- 
ians that  they  were  expected  to  capture  and  deliver 
up  the  person  thus  described,  or  else  forfeit  his  value 


MR.    TROUP  JEFFERS   PLOTS   MISCHIEF  13 

from  their  annuity.  Thus  these  liberty-loving  sav- 
ages soon  discovered  that,  under  the  white  man's 
interpretation  of  their  treaty,  they  had  bound  them- 
selves to  deliver  into  slavery  every  man,  woman,  and 
child  found  within  their  territory,  in  whose  veins 
flowed  one  drop  of  negro  blood,  including  in  some 
cases  their  own  wives  and  children,  which  crime  they 
very  naturally  refused  to  commit. 

Although  Philip  Emathla  had  thus  far  avoided 
an  open  rupture  with  the  whites,  an  event  of  recent 
occurrence  caused  him  grave  anxiety.  On  the  occa- 
sion of  his  last  expedition  to  St.  Augustine  to  re- 
ceive that  portion  of  the  annuity  due  his  band  he  had 
been  persuaded  by  Coacoochee  and  Louis  Pacheco, 
who  happened  to  be  visiting  his  friend  at  that  time, 
to  allow  them  to  accompany  him.  The  Indians 
camped  at  some  distance  from  the  town,  but  were 
permitted  to  wander  freely  about  its  streets  during 
the  daytime  —  a  permission  of  which  the  two  lads 
took  fullest  advantage.  Thus  on  the  very  day  of 
their  arrival  they  set  forth  on  their  exploration  of 
the  ancient  city,  and  Louis,  who  had  been  there  be- 
fore with  his  father,  kindly  explained  its  many 
wonders  to  his  less  travelled  companion. 

The  massive  gray  walls  of  Fort  San  Marco,  with 
their  lofty  watch  towers,  and  black  cannon  grinning 
from  the  deep  embrasures,  possessed  a  peculiar  fasci- 
nation for  Coacoochee,  and  it  seemed  as  though  he 
would   never   tire  of   gazing   on   them.     From   the 


14  THROUGH   SWAMP   AND   GLADE 

gloomy  interior,  however,  he  shrank  with  horror,  re- 
fusing even  to  glance  into  the  cells  and  dungeons,  to 
which  Louis  desired  to  direct  his  attention. 

"No,"  he  cried.  "In  these  I  could  not  breathe. 
They  hold  the  air  of  a  prison,  and  to  a  son  of  the 
forest  that  is  the  air  of  death.  Let  us  then  hasten 
from  this  place  of  ill  omen,  lest  they  close  the  gates, 
and  we  be  forced  to  leap  from  the  walls  for  our 
freedom." 

So  the  Wildcat  hastily  dragged  his  friend  from 
that  grim  place,  nor  did  he  draw  a  full  breath  until 
they  were  once  more  in  the  sunny  fields  outside. 
He  was  infinitely  more  pleased  with  the  interior 
of  the  equally  ancient  cathedral,  and  lingered  long 
before  the  mystic  paintings  of  its  decoration.  Its 
music  and  the  glowing  candles  of  its  richly  decked 
altar  affected  him  so  strangely,  that  even  after  they 
had  emerged  from  the  building  and  stood  in  the 
open  plaza,  listening  to  its  chiming  bells,  he  was  for 
a  long  time  silent. 

Louis,  too,  was  occupied  with  his  own  thoughts; 
and  as  the  lads  stood  thus,  they  failed  to  notice  the 
curiosity  with  which  they  were  regarded  by  two 
men  who  passed  and  repassed  them  several  times. 
One  of  these  men,  Troup  Jeffers  by  name,  was  a 
slave-trader,  who  was  keenly  alive  to  the  possibility 
of  making  a  good  thing  out  of  the  present  embar- 
rassment of  the  Seminoles.  The  other  man,  who  was 
known  as  Ross  Ruffin,  though  that  was  not  supposed 


MR.    TROUP   JEFFERS   PLOTS   MISCHIEF  15 

to  be  his  real  name,  was  one  of  those  depraved  char- 
acters f onnd  on  every  frontier,  who  are  always  ready 
to  perform  a  dirty  job  for  pay,  and  who  so  closely 
resembled  the  filthiest  beasts  of  prey  that  they  are 
generally  spoken  of  as  "human  jackals."  With 
this  particular  jackal  Mr.  Troup  Jeffers  had  already 
dealt  on  more  than  one  occasion,  and  found  him 
peculiarly  well  adapted  to  the  requirements  of  his 
despicable  trade. 

"  Likely  looking  youngsters,"  remarked  the  slave- 
dealer,  nodding  towards  the  two  lads  upon  first 
noticing  them.  "Pity  they're  Injuns.  More  pity 
that  Injuns  don't  come  under  the  head  of  property. 
Can't  see  any  difference  myself  between  them  and 
niggers.  Now  them  two  in  the  right  market  ought 
to  fetch  —  " 

Here  the  trader  paused  to  inspect  the  lads  more 
closely  that  he  might  make  a  careful  estimate  of 
their  probable  money  value. 

"  By  Gad  !  "  he  exclaimed  under  his  breath,  "  I'm 
dashed  if  I  believe  one  of  'em  is  an  Injun  !  " 

"No,"  replied  his  companion;  "one  of  'em  is  a 
nigger.     Leastways,  his  mother  is." 

"You  don't  say  so?"  remarked  Mr.  Troup  Jef- 
fers, his  eye  lighting  with  the  gleam  of  a  man- 
hunter  on  catching  sight  of  his  prey.  "  Who  owns 
him  ?  " 

"No  one  just  now.  Leastways,  he  claims  to  be 
free.     He  lives  with  his   mother    and   sister  in  the 


16  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

Injun  country.  I've  been  calculating  chances  on 
'em  myself  for  some  time." 

"  Tell  me  all  you  know  about  'em,"  commanded 
the  trader,  in  a  voice  husky  with  excitement,  while 
the  evil  gleam  in  his  eyes  grew  more  pronounced. 

When  Ross  Ruffin  had  related  the  history  and 
present  circumstances  of  the  Pachecos  to  the  best  of 
his  knowledge,  the  other  exclaimed: 

"  I'll  go  yer  !  and  we  couldn't  want  a  better  thing. 
Agent's  in  town  now.  I'll  make  out  a  description 
and  file  a  claim  this  very  evening.  We'll  claim  all 
three.  Jump  this  young  buck  before  he  has  a 
chance  to  get  away.  It'll  make  the  other  job  more 
simple  too.  Get  all  three  up  the  coast,  easy  as 
rolling  off  a  log.  '  Quick  sales  and  big  profits  '  — 
that's  my  motto.  I'll  divvy  with  you.  On  the 
square.     Is  it  a  go  ?     Shake." 

Thus  within  five  minutes,  and  while  the  unsus- 
pecting lads  still  listened  in  silence  to  the  tinkling 
chimes  of  the  old  cathedral  bells,  there  was  hatched 
against  them  a  plot  more  villanous  than  either  of 
them  had  ever  conceived  possible.  Not  only  that, 
but  the  first  link  was  forged  of  a  chain  of  circum- 
stances that  was  to  alter  the  whole  course  of  their 
lives  and  entwine  them  in  its  cruel  coils  for  many 
bitter  years  to  come. 


CHAPTER   III 

THE   SLAVE-CATCHERS    AT   WORK 

The  following  clay  was  also  passed  by  Coacoochee 
and  Louis  in  pleasant  wanderings  about  the  quaint 
little  city  whose  every  sight  and  sound  was  to  them 
so  full  of  novel  interest.  At  length  in  the  early  dusk 
of  evening  they  set  forth  on  their  return  to  Philip 
Emathla's  camp,  conversing  eagerly  as  they  walked 
concerning  what  they  had  seen.  So  occupied  were 
they  that  they  paid  little  heed  to  their  immediate 
surroundings,  and  as  they  gained  the  outskirts  of 
the  town  were  startled  at  being  commanded  to  halt 
by  a  man  who  had  approached  them  unobserved.  It 
was  Troup  Jeffers,  the  slave-catcher,  who  had  been 
watching  the  lads  for  some  time  and  awaiting  just 
such  an  opportunity  as  the  present  for  carrying  out 
his  evil  designs. 

"What's  your  name?"  he  demanded,  placing  him- 
self squarely  in  front  of  the  young  Creole. 

"  Louis  Pacheco." 

"  Just  so.     Son  of  old  Pacheco  and  a  nigger  woman. 
Nigger  yourself.     My  nigger,  sold  to  me  by  your  dad 
just  afore  he  died.    Hain't  wanted  you  up  to  this  time. 
Now  want  you  to  come  along  with  me." 
c  17 


18  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

"  I'll  do  nothing  of  the  kind  !  "  cried  the  lad,  hotly. 
"When  yon  say  that  I  am  your  slave,  or  the  slave  of 
any  one  else,  you  lie.  My  mother  was  a  free  woman, 
and  I  was  born  free.  To  that  I  can  take  my  oath, 
and  so  can  my  friend  here.  So  stand  aside,  sir,  and 
let  me  pass." 

"  Ho,  ho  !  my  black  fighting  cock,"  answered  the 
trader,  savagely  ;  "  you'll  pay  sweetly  for  those  words 
afore  I'm  through  with  ye.  And  you'll  set  up  a  nig- 
ger's oath  and  an  Injun's  oath  agin  that  of  a  white 
man,  will  ye?  Why,  you  crumbly  piece  of  yellar 
gingerbread,  don't  you  know  that  when  a  white  man 
swears  to  a  thing,  his  word  will  be  taken  agin  that  of 
all  the  niggers  and  Injuns  in  the  country?  Cattle 
of  that  kind  can't  testify  in  United  States  courts, 
as  you'll  find  out  in  a  hurry  if  you  ever  try  it  on. 
Now  you're  my  property,  and  the  sooner  you  realize 
it,  the  better  it  will  be  for  you.  I've  filed  my  sworn 
claim  with  the  agent,  and  it's  been  allowed.  Here's 
his  order  for  the  Injuns  to  deliver  you  up.  So  Ird 
advise  you  to  go  along  peaceably  with  me  if  you  don't 
want  to  get  yourself  into  a  heap  of  trouble.  Grab 
him,  Ross  !  " 

Mr.  Troup  Jeffers  had  only  talked  to  detain  the 
lads  until  the  arrival  of  his  burly  confederate,  who 
was  following  at  a  short  distance  behind  him.  As 
the  moment  for  action  arrived,  he  seized  Louis  by 
one  arm,  while  Ross  Ruffin  grasped  the  other. 

Coacoochee,    knowing   little    of   the  ways  of   the 


THE   SLAVE-CATCHERS  AT   WORK  19 

whites,  had  not  realized  what  was  taking  place 
until  this  moment ;  but  with  the  seizure  of  his 
friend  the  horrid  truth  was  made  clear  to  him. 
He  was  called  a  dreamer,  but  no  one  witnessing 
the  promptness  of  his  action  at  this  crisis  would 
have  supposed  him  to  be  such.  Ross  Ruffin  was 
nearest  him,  and  at  the  very  moment  of  his  lay- 
ing hands  on  Louis  there  came  a  flash  of  steel. 
The  next  instant  Coacoochee's  keen-bladed  hunting- 
knife  was  sunk  deep  into  the  man's  arm  just  below 
the  shoulder. 

With  a  yell  of  pain  and  terror,  the  "  jackal "  let 
go  his  hold.  Louis  tore  himself  free  from  the  grasp 
of  his  other  assailant,  and  in  a  twinkling  the  two 
lads  were  running  with  the  speed  of  startled  deer  in 
the  direction  of  their  own  camp,  while  an  ineffective 
pistol  shot  rang  out  spitefully  behind  them. 

A  few  minutes  later  they  had  gained  the  camp, 
secured  their  rifles,  told  King  Philip  of  what  had 
just  taken  place,  crossed  the  San  Sebastian,  and  were 
lost  to  sight  in  the  dark  shadows  of  the  forest  on  its 
further  side. 

They  had  hardly  disappeared  before  St.  Augustine 
was  in  an  uproar.  An  Indian  had  dared  draw  his 
knife  on  a  white  man  who  was  only  exercising  his 
legal  rights  and  claiming  his  lawful  property.  An 
Indian  had  actually  aided  in  the  escape  of  a  slave, 
when  by  solemn  treaty  he  was  bound  to  use  every 
effort  to  deliver  such  persons  to  their  masters.     The 


20  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

act  was  an  intolerable  outrage  and  must  be  promptly 
punished. 

Within  an  hour,  therefore,  an  angry  mob  of  armed 
citizens  headed  by  Troup  Jeffers  had  surrounded 
Philip  Emathla's  encampment.  They  were  con- 
fronted by  his  handful  of  sturdy  warriors,  ready  to 
fight  with  the  fury  of  tigers  brought  to  bay,  and 
but  for  the  determined  interference  of  the  Indian 
agent,  who  had  hastened  to  the  scene  of  disturbance, 
a  bloody  battle  would  have  ensued  then  and  there. 
This  officer  begged  the  whites  to  leave  the  affair 
with  him,  assuring  them  that  the  Indians  should  be 
made  to  afford  ample  satisfaction  for  the  outrage, 
and  taught  a  lesson  that  would  prevent  its  repetition. 
At  first  the  citizens  would  not  listen  to  him ;  but 
the  cupidity  of  the  slave-catcher  being  aroused  by 
the  promise  of  a  handsome  pecuniary  compensation 
for  his  loss,  he  joined  his  voice  to  that  of  the  agent, 
and  finally  succeeded  in  persuading  the  mob  to 
retire. 

Two  thousand  dollars  of  government  money  due 
King  Philip's  band  was  in  that  agent's  hands  and 
should  have  been  paid  over  on  the  following  day. 
Now  that  official  gave  the  aged  chieftain  his  choice 
of  delivering  Coacoochee  up  for  punishment,  and 
Louis  Pacheco  to  the  man  who  claimed  him  as  his 
property,  or  of  relinquishing  this  money  and  signing 
for  it  a  receipt  in  full. 

The  alternative  thus  presented  was  a  bitter  one. 


THE   SLAVE-CATCHERS  AT   WORK  21 

The  loss  of  their  money  would  involve  Philip 
Emathla  and  his  band  in  new  difficulties  with  the 
whites,  to  whom  they  were  in  debt  for  goods  that 
were  to  be  paid  for  on  the  receipt  of  their  annuity. 
The  old  man  knew  that  his  creditors  would  have  no 
mercy  upon  him,  but  would  seize  whatever  of  his 
possessions  they  could  attach.  Nor  could  mercy  be 
expected  for  his  son  and  Louis  Pacheco  should  they 
be  delivered  into  the  hands  of  their  enemies. 

Long  did  the  perplexed  chieftain  sit  silent  and 
with  bowed  head,  considering  the  situation.  His 
warriors,  grouped  at  a  short  distance,  watched  him 
with  respectful  curiosity.  At  length  he  submitted 
the  case  to  them  and  asked  their  advice. 

With  one  accord,  and  without  hesitation,  they 
answered  :  "  Let  the  Iste-hatke  (white  man)  keep 
his  money.  We  can  live  without  it ;  but  if  one  hair 
of  Coacoochee's  head  should  be  harmed,  our  hearts 
would  be  heavy  with  a  sadness  that  could  never  be 
lifted." 

So  Philip  Emathla  affixed  his  mark  to  the  paper 
that  the  agent  had  prepared  for  him,  and  was  allowed 
to  depart  in  peace  the  next  day.  Of  the  money 
thus  obtained  from  the  Indians  two  hundred  dollars 
served  to  salve  the  wound  in  Ross  Ruffin's  arm, 
and  eight  hundred  satisfied  for  the  time  being  the 
claim  of  Mr.  Troup  Jeffers,  the  slave-trader.  What 
became  of  the  balance  is  unknown,  for  the  agent's 
books  contain  no  record  of  the  transaction. 


22  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

Coacoochee  and  Louis  had  halted  within  friendly 
shadows  on  the  edge  of  the  forest,  and  there  held 
themselves  in  readiness  to  fly  to  the  assistance  of 
their  friends,  should  sounds  of  strife  proclaim  an 
attack  upon  the  encampment.  Here  they  remained 
during  the  night,  and  only  rejoined  Philip  Emathla 
on  his  homeward  march  the  following  day.  When 
they  learned  from  him  the  particulars  of  the  transac- 
tion by  which  their  liberty  had  been  assured,  both  of 
them  were  bitterly  indignant  at  the  injustice  thus 
perpetrated. 

The  indignation  of  the  young  Creole  was  supple- 
mented by  a  profound  gratitude,  and  he  swore  that 
if  the  time  ever  came  when  it  should  lie  in  his  power 
to  repay  the  debt  thus  incurred,  he  would  do  so  with 
interest  many  times  compounded.  Now,  feeling  se- 
cure in  the  freedom  for  which  so  great  a  price  had 
been  paid,  he  returned  to  his  home  on  the  Tomoka, 
where  for  several  months  he  devoted  himself  assidu- 
ously to  labor  on  the  little  plantation  that  afforded 
the  sole  support  of  his  mother,  his  sister,  and  himself. 
During  this  time  of  diligent  toil,  though  he  found 
no  opportunity  for  communicating  with  his  Indian 
friends  of  the  lake  region,  they  were  often  in  his 
thoughts,  and  his  heart  warmed  toward  them  with 
an  ever-increasing  gratitude  as  he  reflected  upon  the 
awful  fate  from  which  they  had  saved  him. 

While  the  busy  home  life  of  the  family  on  the 
Tomoka  flowed  on  thus  peacefully  and  happily,  there 


THE   SLAVE-CATCHERS   AT  WORK  23 

came  one  evening  a  timid  knock  at  the  closed  door 
of  their  house,  and  a  weak  voice,  speaking  in  negro 
dialect,  begged  for  admittance. 

Louis,  holding  a  candle,  opened  the  door,  and  as 
he  did  so,  was  struck  a  blow  on  the  head  that 
stretched  him  senseless  across  the  threshold.  As 
Nita,  who  was  the  only  other  occupant  of  the  house 
at  that  moment,  witnessed  this  dastardly  act,  she 
uttered  a  piercing  scream  and  was  about  to  fling 
herself  on  her  brother's  body,  but  was  roughly 
pushed  back  by  two  white  men,  who  entered  the 
room,  and  dragging  Louis  back  from  the  door,  closed 
it  behind  them. 

One  of  the  men,  who  were  those  precious  villains 
Troup  Jeffers  and  Ross  Ruffin,  bound  the  wrists  of 
the  unconscious  youth  behind  him,  while  the  other 
ordered  Nita  to  bring  them  food,  threatening  to  kill 
her  brother  before  her  eyes  in  case  she  refused. 
The  terrified  girl  hastened  to  obey ;  but,  as  with 
trembling  hands  she  prepared  the  table  with  all  that 
the  house  afforded  in  the  way  of  provisions,  her 
mind  was  filled  with  wild  schemes  of  escape  and 
rescue.  Her  mother  was  absent,  having  gone  to  sit 
with  the  dying  child  of  their  only  near  neighbors,  a 
negro  family  living  a  short  distance  down  the  river. 

While  the  girl  thus  planned,  and  strove  to  con- 
ceal her  agony  of  thought  beneath  an  appearance  of 
bustling  activity,  the  slave-catchers  dashed  water  in 
her  brother's  face  and  used  other  means  to  restore 


24  THROUGH  SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

him  to  consciousness.  In  this  they  were  finally  suc- 
cessful. 

The  moment  that  he  was  sufficiently  recovered  to 
realize  his  situation  and  recognize  the  men  who  had 
treated  him  so  shamefully,  he  demanded  to  be  set  at 
liberty,  claiming  that  he  was  free  by  birth,  and  that 
even  if  he  were  not,  the  price  of  his  freedom  had 
been  paid  several  times  over  by  the  annuity  that 
Philip  Emathla  had  relinquished  on  his  account. 

"  Oh  no,  you're  not  free,  my  lad,  as  you'll  soon 
discover,"  replied  Mr.  Troup  JefTers,  with  a  grin. 
"  You're  property,  you  are.  You  was  born  property, 
and  you'll  always  be  property.  Just  now  you're  my 
property,  and  will  be  till  I  can  get  you  to  a  market 
where  your  value  will  be  appreciated.  As  for  the 
cash  handed  over  by  that  old  fool  of  an  Injun,  it 
warn't  more  than  enough  to  pay  for  the  cut  that 
young  catamount  give  my  friend  here,  and  for  my 
injured  feelings.  It  warn't  never  intended  to  pay 
for  you.  So  shut  your  mouth  and  come  along 
quietly  with  us,  or  we'll  make  it  mighty  oncomfort- 
able  for  ye.     D'ye  hear  ?  " 

"  But  my  father  was  a  white  man,  my  mother  was 
a  free  woman,  and  I  was  born  —  " 

"  Shut  up  !  I  tell  ye  ! "  shouted  the  trader, 
angrily. 

Determined  to  be  heard,  the  youth  again  opened 
his  mouth  to  speak,  when,  with  a  snarl  of  rage,  the 
brute  sprang  forward  and  dealt  him  several  savage 


THE   SLAVE-CATCHERS  AT  WORK  25 

kicks  with  a  heavy  cowhide  boot  that  proved  effec- 
tive in  procuring  the  required  silence. 

While  the  attention  of  both  men  was  thus  engaged, 
Nita  managed  to  slip  unobserved  from  a  back  door 
of  the  house.  With  the  swiftness  of  despair  she  fled 
along  the  shadowy  forest  trail  that  led  to  the  neigh- 
bor's cabin,  a  quarter  of  a  mile  away.  There  she 
hoped  to  obtain  help  for  her  brother's  rescue.  When 
she  reached  it,  she  found  to  her  dismay  that  it  was 
dark  and  empty.  Its  door  stood  wide  open,  and  the 
poor  girl  received  no  answer  to  her  terrified  callings. 


CHAPTER  IV 

CAPTUEE  AND  ESCAPE  OF  NITA  PACHECO 

For  a  minute  Nita,  trembling  with  excitement 
and  terror,  stood  irresolute.  Then,  noticing  that  a 
few  embers  still  smouldered  on  the  hearth,  she  found 
a  sliver  of  fat  pine  and  thrust  it  among  them.  As  it 
flared  up  with  a  bright  blaze,  its  light  disclosed  a 
scene  that  filled  the  girl  with  despair  and  told  the 
whole  sad  story  —  the  child  with  whom  her  mother 
was  to  watch  that  night  lay  dead  on  the  only  bed  in 
the  room.  The  rest  of  the  scanty  furniture  was 
overturned  and  broken  ;  while  the  whole  appearance 
of  the  place  denoted  that  it  had  been  the  scene  of  a 
fierce  struggle. 

In  vain  did  Nita  seek  for  any  trace  of  her  mother. 
It  was  only  too  evident  that  the  slave-catchers  had 
been  here,  made  captives  of  all  the  living  inmates, 
and  removed  them  to  a  place  of  safe  keeping  before 
visiting  the  Pacheco  house.  Sick  at  heart  and 
undecided  as  to  her  course  of  action,  the  poor 
girl  left  the  cabin.  As  she  emerged  from  its 
shattered  doorway,  she  was  rudely  clasped  in  a  pair 
of  strong  arms,  and  with  a  hoarse  chuckle  of  satis- 
faction   a    voice,    that    she    recognized    as    belong- 

26 


CAPTURE   AND  ESCAPE   OE  NITA  PACHECO        27 

ing   to   one   of   the  men  she  had  left  with  Louis, 
exclaimed : 

"  So,  gal,  ye  thought  ye  was  gwine  to  give  us  the 
slip,  eh  ?  and  maybe  bring  help  to  your  brother  ?  We 
uns  is  up  to  them  games  though,  and  ye've  got  to  be 
oncommon  spry  to  git  ahead  of  us.  I  suspicioned 
whar  ye'd  gone  the  minit  I  found  ye'd  lit  out  with- 
out so  much  as  saying  by  your  leave,  and  I  was  on  to 
yer  trail  in  less'n  no  time.  Now  ye  might  as  well 
give  in  and  go  along  quiet  with  us.  We'll  find  ye  a 
nice  easy  place  whar  ye  won't  hev  much  to  do,  and 
whar  ye  kin  live  happier  than  ye  ever  could  in  this 
here  forsaken  wilderness." 

While  thus  talking,  the  man,  with  a  firm  grasp  of 
the  girl's  arm,  was  leading  her  back  along  the  trail 
they  had  come.  She  had  not  spoken  since  uttering 
a  cry  of  terror  when  he  first  seized  her,  and  she  now 
walked  beside  him  so  quietly  and  unresistingly  that 
he  imagined  her  spirit  to  be  broken  beyond  further 
thought  of  escape. 

The  darkness  of  the  hammock  was  intense,  and 
being  unaccustomed  to  the  narrow  path,  Ruffin 
found  difficulty  in  following  it.  All  at  once,  as 
he  swerved  slightly  from  the  trail,  his  foot  caught 
in  a  loose  root,  and  he  pitched  headlong  to  the 
ground,  releasing  the  girl's  arm  as  he  fell.  In  an 
instant  she  was  gone.  Her  light  footfall  gave 
back  no  sound  to  indicate  the  direction  she  had 
taken,  and  only  the  mocking  forest  echoes  answered 


28  THROUGH  SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

the  man's  bitter  curses  which  were  coupled  with 
commands  that  she  return  to  him. 

Time  was  precious  with  the  slave-catchers,  and 
to  pursue  the  girl  would  be  a  hopeless  task.  Ross 
Ruffin  realized  this,  and  so,  baffled  and  raging,  he 
made  his  way  to  that  point  on  the  river  where,  in 
a  small  boat,  with  Louis  still  bound  and  helpless, 
Troup  Jeffers  impatiently  awaited  his  coming.  The 
latter  upbraided  his  confederate  in  unmeasured  terms 
for  allowing  the  girl  to  escape,  and  so  fierce  was 
their  quarrel  that  it  seemed  about  to  result  in  blood- 
shed. Finally  their  interests,  rather  than  their  in- 
clinations, led  them  to  control  their  anger  and  to 
reflect  that  with  the  captives  already  secured,  in- 
cluding Louis,  his  mother,  and  the  family  of  their 
negro  neighbors,  the  venture  promised  to  be  very 
profitable,  after  all.  So  they  pulled  down  the  dark 
river  and  out  to  a  small  schooner  that,  in  charge  of 
two  other  white  men,  lay  off  its  mouth,  awaiting  them. 

Louis  had  listened  eagerly  to  Ruffin's  report  of 
his  sister's  flight,  and  thus  assured  of  her  escape, 
he  became  more  reconciled  to  the  fate  in  store  for 
himself.  As  the  boat  in  which  he  lay  glided  from 
the  river's  mouth,  there  came  to  him  the  sound  of 
a  dear  voice  that  in  all  probability  he  would  never 
hear  again.  It  was  a  passionate  cry  of  farewell 
from  the  sister  whom  he  loved  better  than  all  the 
world  beside.  With  a  mighty  effort  the  captive 
raised  himself  to  a  sitting  posture. 


CAPTURE  AND  ESCAPE  OF  NITA  PACHECO   29 

"  Good-bye,  Nita  !  "  lie  shouted  ;   "  God  bless  —  " 

Then  he  was  silenced  and  struck  down  by  a  blow 
in  the  face.  At  the  same  instant  a  flash  of  fire 
leaped  from  the  boat,  and  a  rifle  bullet  sped  angrily 
through  the  forest  in  the  direction  from  which 
Nita's  voice  had  come.  It  did  not  harm  her,  but 
she  dared  not  call  again.  Nor  did  she  dare  remain 
longer  in  that  vicinity. 

Returning  to  her  deserted  home,  the  poor  girl 
hastily  gathered  a  slender  store  of  provisions  and 
then  set  forth,  fearfully  and  with  a  breaking  heart, 
to  thread  the  shadowy  trails  leading  to  the  only 
place  of  refuge  that  she  knew,  —  the  village  of  Philip 
Emathla  the  Seminole.  For  two  days  she  travelled, 
guided  by  instinct  rather  than  by  a  knowledge  of  the 
way,  and  at  the  end  of  the  second  she  came  to  the 
place  where  Coacoochee  was  standing.  As  her  pres- 
ence was  betrayed  by  Ul-we,  and  the  young  Indian 
sprang  to  her  side,  the  girl  sank  into  his  arms,  faint 
and  speechless  from  exhaustion.  Her  dress  hung 
in  rags,  her  feet  were  bare  and  bleeding,  and  her 
tender  skin  was  torn  by  innumerable  thorns. 

Filled  with  wonder  and  a  premonition  of  evil 
tidings  by  this  appearance  of  his  friend's  sister  so 
far  from  her  home  and  in  so  sad  a  plight,  Coacoo- 
chee bore  her  to  the  open  space  in  which  he  had 
stood,  and  laid  her  gently  down  at  the  base  of  a 
great  oak.  Then,  realizing  that  all  his  strength 
would  not  suffice   to    carry   her    over    the    mile    or 


30  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

more  lying  between  that  place  and  his  father's 
village,  he  bade  the  great  staghound  stand  guard 
over  the  fainting  girl,  and  started  off  at  a  speed 
that  he  alone  of  all  his  tribe  possessed,  to  seek 
assistance. 

The  peaceful  village  was  startled  by  his  appear- 
ance as  he  dashed  breathlessly  into  it  a  few  minutes 
later,  and  some  of  the  men  instinctively  grasped 
their  weapons.  With  a  few  words,  Coacoochee  as- 
sured them  that  there  was  no  immediate  cause  for 
alarm,  and  then  ordering  three  stalwart  young  war- 
riors to  follow  him,  he  again  entered  the  forest  and 
hastened  back  to  where  he  had  left  the  exhausted 
girl. 

A  little  later  Nita  Pacheco  was  borne  into  the 
village  and  given  over  to  the  skilful  ministrations 
of  the  women  belonging  to  King  Philip's  household. 
Under  their  kindly  care  the  strength  of  the  fugitive 
was  so  restored  that  within  an  hour  after  her  arrival 
she  was  able  to  relate  her  sad  story  to  the  aged  chief, 
who  bent  over  her  and  listened  to  her  words  with 
breathless  attention. 

When  she  finished,  and  Philip  Emathla  was  pos- 
sessed of  all  the  facts  she  had  to  communicate,  he  drew 
himself  to  his  fall  height  and  stood  for  a  moment 
silent,  while  his  whole  frame  trembled  with  anger. 

At  length  he  said:  "  It  is  well,  my  daughter.  I 
have  heard  thy  words,  and  they  have  caused  my 
heart  to  bleed.     From  this  hour   thou   shalt   be  to 


CAPTURE  AND  ESCAPE  OF  NITA  PACHECO    31 

Philip  Emathla  as  the  child  of  his  old  age,  and  thy 
sorrows  shall  be  his.  Sleep  now  and  regain  thy 
strength  while  he  takes  counsel  concerning  this  mat- 
ter with  his  wise  men,  and  in  the  morning  he  will 
speak  further  with  thee." 

When  the  old  chief  repeated  Nita  Pacheco's  story 
to  his  warriors  assembled  about  the  council  fire  that 
night,  his  words  were  received  in  silence,  but  with 
fierce  scowls-,  clinched  hands,  and  twitching  fingers. 
At  its  conclusion  the  silence  was  only  broken  by 
angry  mutterings,  but  none  knew  what  to  advise. 
At  length  King  Philip  addressed  Coacoochee,  who, 
youngest  of  all  present,  had  been  allowed  a  seat  at 
this  council  for  the  first  time.  Calling  him  by  name, 
the  old  chief  said: 

"  My  son,  on  account  of  thy  friendship  with  Louis 
Pacheco,  thy  interest  in  this  matter  is  greater  than 
that  of  any  other  among  my  councillors.  What, 
then,  is  thy  opinion  concerning  this  tale  of  wrong 
and  outrage  ?  " 

Standing  bravely  forth  in  the  full  glow  of  fire- 
light, with  his  athletic  form  and  proud  profile  clearly 
outlined  against  it,  the  lad  spoke  vehemently  and 
from  a  full  heart  as  he  replied  : 

"  The  words  of  my  father  have  made  the  hearts  of 
his  children  heavy.  They  tell  us  of  the  wickedness 
of  the  white  man.  That  is  nothing  new.  We  have 
heard  of  it  many  times  before.  So  many  that  we 
are  weary  with  listening.     But  now  this  wickedness 


32  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

has  fallen  on  those  who  have  the  right  to  call  upon 
us  for  vengeance.  They  are  not  of  our  blood,  but 
they  lived  among  us  and  trusted  us  to  protect  them. 
Louis  Pacheco  is  my  friend  and  brother.  This 
maiden  is  as  a  daughter  to  my  father.  They  were 
not  born  slaves.  The  Great  Spirit  created  them 
free  as  the  birds  of  the  air  or  the  deer  of  the  forest. 
Of  this  freedom,  the  gift  of  the  Great  Spirit,  the 
white  man  seeks  to  rob  them.  Are  we  dogs  that  we 
should  suffer  this  thing  ?  No;  the  Seminoles  are  men 
and  warriors.  Let  the  chief  send  a  message  to  the 
white  man,  demanding  that  these  our  friends  be  set 
free  and  restored  to  us.  Let  him  also  send  out 
those  who  will  discover  whither  they  have  been 
taken.  If  they  be  dead  or  carried  away  so  far  that 
he  cannot  find  them,  then  let  him  lead  his  warriors 
to  battle  with  the  palef aced  dogs,  that  the  fate  of  our 
friends  may  be  avenged.  Coacoochee  has  spoken, 
and  to  Philip  Emathla  has  he  made  answer." 

This  brave  speech,  delivered  with  all  the  fire  and 
enthusiasm  of  youth  as  well  as  with  the  eloquent 
gestures  that  Coacoochee  knew  so  well  how  to  use, 
Avas  received  with  murmurs  of  satisfaction  by  the 
younger  warriors,  whose  eyes  gleamed  with  a  fierce 
joy  at  the  thought  of  battle.  The  breast  of  the 
young  orator  swelled  with  pride  as,  reseating  himself 
in  his  appointed  place,  he  glanced  about  him  and 
noted  the  effect  of  his  maiden  effort  at  public  speech- 
making.     His  whole  soul  was  enlisted  in  the  cause 


CAPTURE  AND   ESCAPE    OF   NITA   PACHECO        33 

of  those  oppressed  ones  for  whom  he  had  just  pleaded 
so  earnestly,  and  he  longed  with  the  earnestness  of 
honorable,  high-strung,  and  fearless  youth  to  strike 
a  telling  blow  in  their  behalf. 

While  he  with  the  younger  members  of  the  band 
were  thus  animated  by  a  spirit  of  resistance  to  in- 
justice at  any  cost,  the  older  warriors  shook  their 
heads.  They  could  not  but  reflect  upon  their  own 
weakness  when  they  considered  the  power  of  the 
white  man  and  the  number  of  his  soldiers. 

The  old  chief  who  had  called  forth  this  manifesta- 
tion of  feeling  noted  shrewdly  the  varied  expressions 
of  those  about  him  and  then  dismissed  the  council, 
saying  that  after  sleeping  he  would  announce  his 
decision. 


CHAPTER   V 

A  FOEEST   BETEOTHAL 

Philip  Emathla  was  an  old  man  and  a  wise  one. 
He  had  visited  the  great  white  Father  at  Washing- 
ton, and  had  thns  gained  a  very  different  idea  of  the' 
power  and  number  of  the  palefaces  from  that  gen- 
erally held  by  his  tribe.  He  loved  his  land  and 
his  people.  He  was  determined  not  to  submit  to 
injustice  if  he  could  help  it,  but  he  shrank  from 
plunging  the  Seminoles  into  a  war  with  the  power- 
ful and  arrogant  invaders  of  their  country.  He 
knew  that  such  a  war  could  only  result  in  the  utter 
defeat  of  the  red  man,  no  matter  how  long  or  how 
bravely  he  might  fight.  Thus  Coacoochee's  fiery 
speech  at  the  council  was  a  source  of  great  anxiety 
to  the  old  man  and  caused  him  to  pass  a  sleepless 
night.  By  morning,  however,  he  had  decided  upon 
a  course  of  action,  and  again  summoning  his  council- 
lors, he  unfolded  it  to  them. 

As  the  money  value  of  Louis  Pacheco  and  his 
mother  had  already  been  doubly  paid  by  the  Indians 
through  the  relinquishment  of  their  annuity,  Philip 
Emathla  would  himself  go  to  the  agent  at  Fort 
King,  claim  them  as  his  slaves,  and  demand  their 

34 


A  FOREST  BETROTHAL  35 

return  to  him  as  such.  At  the  same  time  he  would 
send  scouts  to  St.  Augustine  to  discover  if  the  cap- 
tives were  in  that  city  and  what  chance  there  was 
of  rescuing  them  in  case  the  agent  should  refuse  to 
recognize  his  claim.  Until  these  things  were  done 
there  must  be  no  thought  or  mention  of  war.  It 
could  only  be  considered  after  all  else  had  failed. 

As  Coacoochee  listened  to  these  words,  his  face 
assumed  a  look  of  resolve,  and  he  eagerly  awaited  an 
opportunity  to  speak.  He  was  no  longer  content  to 
be  considered  a  dreamer,  but  was  anxious  to  prove 
himself  the  worthy  son  of  a  great  chief  and  entitled 
to  the  proud  rank  of  warrior.  When,  therefore,  his 
father  finished  what  he  had  to  say  and  signified  that 
any  who  chose  might  speak,  the  lad,  after  waiting 
for  a  few  minutes  out  of  deference  to  his  elders,  rose 
with  a  modest  but  manly  bearing  and  requested  that 
two  favors  might  be  granted  him.  One  was  that  he 
might  be  allowed  to  go  alone  on  the  scout  to  St. 
Augustine  and  there  learn  the  fate  of  his  friend.  The 
other,  asked  with  that  confusion  of  manner  which  all 
youths,  savage  as  well  as  civilized,  manifest  on  such 
occasions,  was  that  he  might  have  his  father's  permis- 
sion to  make  Nita  Pacheco  a  daughter  of  the  tribe, 
in  fact  as  well  as  in  name,  by  taking  her  to  be  his 
wife. 

After  regarding  the  lad  fixedly  and  in  silence  for 
nearly  a  minute,  the  old  chief  made  reply  as  follows  : 

"  My  son,  although  thou  hast  attained  the  stature 


36  THROUGH  SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

of  a  man,  and  it  has  been  permitted  thee  to  speak  in 
council,  thou  art  still  but  a  boy  in  knowledge  as  well 
as  in  years.  That  thou  may  speedily  prove  thyself 
worthy  the  name  of  warrior  is  my  hope  and  desire. 
Therefore  that  thou  may  not  lack  opportunity  for 
gaining  distinction,  I  hereby  grant  the  first  of  thy 
requests  on  condition  that  six  of  my  well-tried  braves 
shall  go  with  thee.  They  may  be  left  in  concealment 
outside  the  city,  and  thou  may  enter  it  alone  ;  but  it 
is  well  to  have  friends  at  hand  in  case  of  need.  It  is 
also  well  that  a  young  warrior  should  be  guided  by 
the  counsel  of  those  who  are  older  and  wiser. 

"  Thy  second  request  will  I  also  grant  upon  con- 
ditions. Gladly  will  I  accept  the  maiden  whom  thou 
hast  named,  as  a  daughter  in  truth  as  well  as  in 
name  ;  but  it  seems  to  have  escaped  thy  mind  that 
no  son  of  the  Seminoles  may  take  to  himself  a  wife 
until  he  has  won  the  title  of  warrior  and  proved 
himself  capable  of  her  support.  Again,  there  is  but 
one  time  for  the  taking  of  wives,  which  may  only  be 
done  at  the  great  green  corn  dance  of  thy  people.  If 
it  pleases  the  maiden  to  plight  thee  her  troth,  to 
that  I  will  give  consent,  provided  the  ceremony  shall 
take  place  ere  the  setting  of  this  day's  sun.  Then 
when  thou  art  gone  on  thy  mission  to  discover  the 
fate  of  her  mother  and  her  brother,  she  will  be 
doubly  entitled  to  the  love  and  protection  of  thy 
people.  Let,  then,  a  solemn  betrothal  satisfy  thee 
for   the  present,  and  at  some  future  time  will  the 


A  FOREST  BETROTHAL  37 

question    of    thy   marriage    be    considered.       Thus 
speaks  Philip  Emathla." 

Coaeoochee  had  loved  the  sister  of  his  friend 
longer  than  he  could  remember,  and  believed  that 
Nita  entertained  a  similar  feeling  toward  him, 
though  no  words  of  love  had  ever  passed  between 
them.  Now  they  were  to  exchange  a  promise  of 
marriage  !  The  mere  thought  gave  him  a  more 
manly  and  dignified  bearing.  And  then  he  was  to 
be  immediately  separated  from  her.  How  hard  it 
would  be  to  leave  her  !  Doubly  hard,  hoav  that  she 
was  in  sorrow,  and  suffering  the  keenest  anxiety. 
Still,  if  he  could  only  bring  back  tidings  of  the 
safety  of  her  dear  ones,  or  perhaps  even  return  them 
to  her,  how  happy  it  would  make  her  !  How  proud 
she  would  be  of  him  ! 

To  Nita  the  proposition  that  she  should  partici- 
pate in  a  ceremony  of  betrothal  to  Coaeoochee, 
which  among  the  Seminoles  is  even  more  solemn 
and  important  than  that  of  marriage  itself,  was 
startling  but  not  unwelcome.  She  loved  the  hand- 
some youth.  In  her  own  mind  that  had  long  ago 
been  settled.  Now  she  was  homeless  and  alone. 
Where  could  she  find  a  braver  or  more  gallant 
protector  than  Coaeoochee?  Besides,  was  he  not 
going  into  danger  for  her  sake,  and  the  sake  of 
those  most  dear  to  her  ?  Yes,  she  would  give  him 
her  promise  in  the  presence  of  all  his  people  freely 
and  gladly. 


38  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

Again  the  sun  was  near  his  setting,  and  all  nature 
was  flooded  with  the  golden  glory  that  waited  on 
his  departure.  The  cluster  of  palmetto- thatched 
huts  nestled  beneath  tall  trees  on  the  shore  of  blue 
Ahpopka  Lake  wore  an  expectant  air,  and  their  dusky 
inhabitants,  gathered  in  little  groups,  seemed  to 
anticipate  some  event  of  importance. 

At  length  there  came  the  sound  of  singing  from 
a  leafy  bower  on  the  outskirts  of  the  village,  and 
then  appeared  a  bevy  of  young  girls  wreathed  and 
garlanded  with  flowers.  In  their  midst  walked  one 
whose  face,  fairer  than  theirs,  still  bore  traces  of 
recent  suffering.  She  was  clad  in  a  robe  of  fawn- 
skin,  creamy  white  and  soft  as  velvet.  Exquisitely 
embroidered,  it  was  fit  for  the  wear  of  a  princess,  and 
had  indeed  been  prepared  for  the  gentle  Allala,  King 
Philip's  only  daughter,  shortly  before  her  death. 
Now,  worn  for  the  first  time,  it  formed  the  betrothal 
dress  of  Nita  Pacheco.  In  the  tresses  of  her  rip- 
pling hair  was  twined  a  slender  spray  of  snow-white 
star  jasmine.  She  wore  no  other  ornament,  but 
none  was  needed  for  a  beauty  so  radiant  as  hers. 

So,  at  least,  thought  Coacoochee,  as,  escorted  by  a 
picked  body  of  young  warriors,  gaudy  in  paint  and 
feathers,  he  entered  the  village  at  this  moment,  but 
from  its  opposite  side,  and  caught  a  glimpse  of  her. 

Both  groups  advanced  to  the  centre  of  the  village 
and  halted,  facing  each  other,  before  the  chief's 
lodge.     There  for   some   moments  they  stood  amid 


A  FOREST   BETROTHAL  39 

an  impressive  silence  that  was  only  broken  by  the 
glad  songs  of  birds  in  the  leafy  coverts  above  them. 
At  length  the  curtain  screening  the  entrance  was 
drawn  aside,  and  Philip  Emathla,  followed  by  two 
of  his  most  trusted  councillors,  stepped  forth.  The 
head  of  the  aged  chieftain  was  unadorned  save  by 
a  single  roseate  feather  plucked  from  the  wing  of  a 
flamingo.  This  from  time  immemorial  had  been  the 
badge  of  highest  authority  among  the  Indians  of 
Florida,  and  was  adopted  as  such  by  the  latest  native 
occupants  of  the  flowery  land.  The  chief's  massive 
form  was  set  off  to  fine  advantage  by  a  simple  tunic 
and  leggings  of  buckskin.  Depending  from  his  neck 
by  a  slender  chain  was  a  large  gold  medallion  of 
Washington,  while  across  his  breast  he  wore  several 
other  decorations  in  gold  and  silver. 

Standing  in  the  presence  of  his  people,  and  facing 
the  setting  sun,  the  chieftain  called  upon  the  group 
of  flower-decked  maidens  to  deliver  up  their  sister, 
and  as  Nita  stepped  shyly  forth,  he  took  her  by  the 
hand.  Next  he  called  upon  the  group  of  young 
warriors  to  deliver  up  their  brother,  whereupon 
their  ranks  opened,  and  Coacoochee  walked  proudly 
to  where  his  father  stood. 

Taking  him  also  by  the  hand,  the  old  chief  asked 
of  his  son,  in  a  voice  that  all  could  plainly  hear,  if  he 
had  carefully  considered  the  obligation  he  was  about 
to  assume.  "  Do  you  promise  for  the  sake  of  this 
maiden  to  strive  with  all  your  powers  to  attain  the 


40  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

rank  of  a  warrior?  Do  you  promise,  when  that  time 
comes,  to  take  her  to  your  lodge  to  be  your  squaw?  to 
protect  her  with  your  life  from  harm  ?  to  hunt  game 
for  her  ?  to  see  that  she  suffers  not  from  hunger  ?  to 
love  her  and  bear  with  her  until  the  Great  Spirit 
shall  call  you  to  dwell  with  him  in  the  Happy  Hunt- 
ing-grounds ?  " 

"  Un-cah  "  (yes),  answered  Coacoochee  so  clearly 
as  to  be  heard  of  all.     "  I  do  promise." 

Turning  to  Nita,  the  chieftain  asked:  "  My  daugh- 
ter, are  you  also  willing  to  make  promise  to  this 
youth  that  when  the  time  comes  for  him  to  call  thee 
to  his  lodge,  you  will  go  to  him  ?  Are  you  willing 
to  promise  that  from  then  until  the  sun  shall  no 
longer  shine  for  thee,  till  thine  eyes  are  closed  in 
the  long  sleep,  and  till  the  music  of  birds  no  longer 
fill  thy  ears,  Coacoochee  shall  be  thy  man,  and  thou 
shall  know  no  other  ?  Are  you  willing  to  promise 
that  from  that  time  his  lodge  shall  be  thy  lodge,  his 
friends  thy  friends,  and  his  enemies  thy  enemies  ? 
Are  you.  willing  to  promise  that  from  the  day  you 
enter  his  lodge  you  will  love  him  and  care  for  him, 
make  his  word  thy  law,  and  follow  him  even  to  cap- 
tivity and  death  ?  Consider  well,  my  daughter,  before 
answering;  for  thy  pledged  word  may  not  be  lightly 
broken." 

Lifting  her  head,  and  smiling  as  she  looked  the  old 
man  full  in  the  face,  Nita  answered,  in  low  but  dis- 
tinct tones  : 


A  FOREST  BETROTHAL  41 

"  Un-cali.     I  am  willing  to  promise." 

With  this  the  chieftain  placed  the  girl's  hand  in 
that  of  Coacoochee,  and  turning  to  the  spectators, 
who  stood  silent  and  attentive,  said: 

"  In  thy  sight,  and  in  hearing  of  all  men,  this  my 
son  and  this  my  daughter  have  given  to  each  other 
the  promise  that  may  not  be  broken.  Therefore  I, 
Philip  Emathla,  make  it  known  that  whenever  Coa- 
coochee, after  gaining  a  warrior's  rank,  shall  call  this 
maiden  to  his  lodge,  she  shall  go  to  him.  From  that 
time  forth  he  shall  be  her  warrior,  and  she  shall  be 
his  squaw.     It  is  spoken;  let  it  be  remembered." 

With  these  words  the  ceremony  of  betrothal  was 
concluded,  and  at  once  the  spectators  broke  forth  in 
a  tumult  of  rejoicing.  Guns  were  discharged,  drums 
were  beaten,  great  fires  were  lighted,  there  was 
dancing  and  feasting,  and  in  every  way  they  could 
devise  did  these  simple-minded  dwellers  in  the  forest 
express  their  joy  over  the  event  that  promised  so 
much  of  happiness  to  the  well-loved  son  of  their 
chief. 

In  these  rejoicings  Coacoochee  did  not  take  part, 
glad  as  he  would  have  been  to  do  so.  He  had  a  duty 
to  perform  that  might  no  longer  be  delayed.  The 
fate  of  his  friend,  who  was  now  become  almost  his 
brother,  must  be  learned,  and  it  rested  with  him  to 
discover  it. 

So  on  conclusion  of  the  betrothal  ceremony  he  led 
Nita  into  his  father's  lodge,  bade  her  a  tender  fare- 


42  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

well,  and  promising  a  speedy  return,  slipped  away 
almost  unobserved.  Followed  only  by  Ul-we,  the 
great  staghound,  he  entered  the  dark  shadows  of  the 
forest  behind  the  village,  and  was  immediately  lost 
to  view. 


CHAPTER  VI 

CRUEL  DEATH  OF   UL-WE  THE   STAGHOUND 

When  Coacoochee  left  the  Indian  village  on  the 
night  of  his  betrothal  and  set  forth  on  his  journey 
to  St.  Augustine,  he  fully  realized  that  the  act 
marked  a  crisis  in  his  life,  and  that  from  this  hour 
his  irresponsible  boyhood  was  a  thing  of  the  past. 
For  a  moment  he  was  staggered  by  the  thought  of 
what  he  was  undertaking,  together  with  an  over- 
powering sense  of  his  own  weakness  and  lack  of 
worldly  knowledge.  How  could  he,  a  mere  lad, 
educated  in  nothing  save  forest  craft,  hope  to  com- 
pete with  the  strength,  wisdom,  and  subtlety  of  the 
all-powerful  white  man?  His  heart  sank  at  the 
prospect,  there  came  a  faltering  in  his  springy  stride, 
he  feared  to  advance,  and  dreaded  to  retreat. 

As  he  wavered  he  became  conscious  of  a  pres- 
ence beside  him,  and  to  his  ear  came  the  voice 
of  Allala.  In  tender  but  reproachful  accents  it 
said: 

"  My  brother,  to  thee  are  the  eyes  of  our  people 
turning.  Philip  Emathla  is  chief  of  a  band ;  through 
long  strife,  bitter  trial,  and  deepest  sorrow,  Coacoo- 
chee shall  become  leader  of  a  nation.     Remember, 

43 


44  THROUGH   SWAMP   AND   GLADE 

my  brother,  that  to  strive  and  succeed  is  glorious; 
to  strive  and  yield  is  still  honorable  ;  but  to  yield 
without  striving  is  contemptible." 

The  voice  ceased,  and  the  young  Indian  felt  that 
he  was  again  alone,  but  he  was  no  longer  undecided. 
His  veins  thrilled  with  a  new  life,  and  his  heart  was 
filled  with  a  courage  ready  to  dare  anything.  In 
an  instant  his  determination  was  taken.  He  would 
strive  for  victories,  he  would  learn  to  bear  defeat, 
but  it  should  never  be  said  of  Coacoochee  that  he 
was  contemptible.  Filled  with  such  thoughts,  the 
youth  sprang  forward  and  again  urged  his  way  along 
the  dim  forest  trail. 

He  had  gone  but  a  short  distance  when  he  came 
to  a  group  of  dark  figures  evidently  awaiting  him. 
They  were  the  six  warriors  chosen  by  his  father  to 
accompany  him  on  his  dangerous  mission.  As  he 
joined  them,  a  few  words  of  greeting  were  exchanged, 
and  one  of  them  handed  him  his  rifle,  powder-horn, 
and  bullet-pouch.  Here  he  took  the  lead,  with  Ul-we 
close  at  his  heels.  The  others  followed  in  single 
file  and  with  long,  gliding  strides  that  maintained 
with  slight  apparent  effort  yet  bore  them  over  the 
ground  with  surprising  rapidity. 

The  night  was  lighted  by  a  young  moon,  and  such 
of  its  rays  as  were  sifted  down  through  the  leafy 
canopy  served  to  guide  their  steps  as  truly  as  though 
it  had  been  day.  When  the  moon  set,  the  little  band 
halted  on  the  edge  of  an  open  glade,  and  each  man 


CRUEL  DEATH  OF  UL-WE  THE  STAGHOUND        45 

cut  a  few  great  leaves  of  the  cabbage  palmetto,  which 
he  thrust  stem  first  into  the  ground  to  serve  as  pro- 
tection against  the  drenching  night  dew.  Then, 
flinging  themselves  down  in  the  long  grass,  they 
almost  instantly  fell  asleep,  leaving  only  Ul-we  to 
stand  guard. 

A  brace  of  wild  turkey,  shot  at  daylight  a 
short  distance  from  where  they  slept,  furnished  a 
breakfast,  and  at  sunrise  they  were  once  more  on 
their  way.  That  morning  they  crossed  the  St. 
John's  River  in  a  canoe  that  had  been  skilfully  con- 
cealed beneath  a  bank  from  all  but  them,  and  soon 
after  sunset  they  made  their  second  camp  within  a 
few  miles  of  St.  Augustine. 

Up  to  this  time  they  had  seen  no  white  man,  but 
now  they  might  expect  to  see  many;  for  they  were 
near  a  travelled  road  recently  opened  for  the  gov- 
ernment westward  into  the  far  interior,  by  a  man 
named  Bellamy ;  thus  it  was  called  the  "  Bellamy 
Road,"  —  a  name  that  it  bears  to  this  day. 

Over  it  Coacoochee,  accompanied  only  by  Ul-we, 
walked  boldly  the  next  morning  until  he  came  to  the 
city.  He  did  not  carry  his  rifle  with  him,  as  he  knew 
that  Indians  off  their  reservation  were  apt  to  have  all 
firearms  seized  and  taken  from  them.  Moreover,  he 
anticipated  no  danger.  These  were  times  of  peace, 
in  which  Indians  as  well  as  whites  were  protected  by 
treaty.  So,  cautioning  his  warriors  to  remain  con- 
cealed until   his   return,  the  young  leader  went  in 


46  THROUGH  SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

search  of  the  information  he  had  been  detailed  to 
obtain. 

During  his  journey  he  had  carefully  considered 
the  steps  to  be  taken  when  he  should  reach  its  end. 
He  might  easily  have  slipped  into  the  town  under 
cover  of  darkness,  and,  with  little  chance  of  being 
observed,  communicated  with  certain  negroes  of  the 
place,  who  would  have  told  him  what  he  desired  to 
know.  He  might  have  remained  concealed  in  the 
outskirts  until  some  of  them  passed  that  way. 
Several  other  plans  suggested  themselves,  but  all  were 
rejected  in  favor  of  the  one  now  adopted.  Honest 
and  straightforward  himself,  Coacoochee  was  disin- 
clined to  use  methods  that  might  lie  open  to  suspi- 
cion. He  knew  of  no  reason  why  he,  a  free  man, 
should  not  visit  any  portion  of  the  land  that  his 
people  still  claimed  as  their  own,  and  consequently 
he  entered  the  town  boldly  and  in  broad  daylight. 

The  sight  of  an  Indian  in  the  streets  of  St.  Augus- 
tine was  at  that  time  too  common  to  attract  unusual 
attention.  Still,  the  bearing  of  the  young  chief  was 
so  noble,  and  his  appearance  so  striking,  that  more 
than  one  person  turned  to  gaze  after  him  as  he  passed. 

The  great  dog  that  followed  close  at  his  heels  also 
excited  universal  admiration,  and  several  men  offered 
to  buy  him  from  the  youth  as  he  passed  them.  To 
these  he  deigned  no  reply,  for  it  was  part  of  the 
Indian  policy  at  that  time,  as  it  is  now,  to  feign  an 
ignorance  of  any  language  but  their  own. 


CRUEL  DEATH  OF  UL-WE  THE  STAGIIOUND        47 

Within  a  few  hours  Coacoochee  had  learned  all 
that  was  to  be  known  concerning  the  recent  expedi- 
tion of  Jeffers  and  Ruffin.  If  they  were  successful 
in  their  undertaking,  they  were  to  proceed  directly 
to  Charleston,  South  Carolina,  and  there  dispose  of 
their  captives.  As  they  had  now  been  absent  from 
St.  Augustine  for  more  than  a  week,  this  is  what 
they  were  supposed  to  have  done. 

Once  during  his  hurried  interviews  with  those 
who  were  able  to  give  him  information,  but  were 
fearful  of  being  discovered  in  his  company,  the 
young  Indian  was  vaguely  warned  that  some  new 
laws  relating  to  his  people  had  just  been  passed, 
and  that  if  he  were  not  careful,  he  might  get  into 
trouble  through  them. 

Several  times  during  the  morning  one  or  more  of 
the  street  dogs  of  the  town  ran  snarling  after  Ul- 
we ;  but,  in  each  case,  one  of  his  deep  growls  and  a 
display  of  his  formidable  teeth  caused  them  to  slink 
away  and  leave  him  unmolested. 

Having  finished  his  business,  Coacoochee  set  out 
on  a  return  to  the  camp  where  his  warriors  awaited 
him.  His  heart  was  heavy  with  the  news  that  he 
had  just  received,  and  as  he  walked,  he  thought  bit- 
terly of  the  fate  of  the  friend  who  had  been  dragged 
into  slavery  far  beyond  his  reach  or  power  of  rescue. 

Thus  thinking,  and  paying  but  slight  attention  to 
his  surroundings,  he  reached  the  edge  of  the  town. 
He  was  passing  its  last  building,  a  low  groggery,  on 


48  THROUGH   SWAMP   AND   GLADE 

the  porch  of  which  were  collected  a  group  of  men, 
most  of  them  more  or  less  under  the  influence  of 
liquor. 

One  of  the  group  was  a  swarthy-faced  fellow 
named  Salano,  who  had  for  some  unknown  reason 
conceived  a  bitter  hatred  against  all  Indians,  and 
often  boasted  that  he  would  no  more  hesitate  to 
shoot  one  than  he  would  a  wolf  or  a  rattlesnake. 
Beside  this  man  lay  his  dog,  a  mongrel  cur  with  a 
sneaking  expression,  that  had  gained  some  notoriety 
as  a  fighter. 

As  Coacoochee  passed  this  group,  though  without 
paying  any  attention  to  them,  Salano  called  out  to 
him  in  an  insulting  tone  : 

"  Hello,  Injun  !  whar  did  you  steal  that  dog?  " 

If  the  young  chief  heard  this  question,  he  did  not 
indicate  by  any  sign  that  he  had  done  so  ;  but  con- 
tinued calmly  on  his  way. 

Again  Salano  shouted  after  him.  "  I  say  whar 
did  you  steal  that  dog,  Injun  ?  "  then,  with  an  oath, 
he  added :  "  Bring  him  here ;  I  want  to  look  at 
him." 

Still  there  was  no  reply. 

In  the  meantime  the  cur  at  Salano's  feet  was 
growling  and  showing  his  teeth  as  he  gazed  after 
the  retreating  form  of  Ul-we. 

At  this  juncture  his  master  stopped,  and  pointing 
in  the  direction  of  the  staghound,  said,  "  Go,  bite 
him,  sir  ! " 


CRUEL  DEATH  OF  UL-WE  THE  STAGHOUND        49 

The  cur  darted  forward,  and  made  a  vicious  snap 
at  Ul-we's  hind  legs,  inflicting  a  painful  wound. 

The  temper  of  the  big  dog  was  tried  beyond  endur- 
ance. He  turned,  and  with  a  couple  of  leaps  over- 
took the  cur,  already  in  yelping  retreat.  Ul-we 
seized  him  by  the  back  in  his  powerful  jaws.  There 
was  a  wild  yell,  a  momentary  struggle,  a  crunching 
of  bones,  and  the  cur  lay  lifeless  in  the  dust.  At 
the  same  moment  the  report  of  a  rifle  rang  out,  and 
the  superb  staghound  sank  slowly  across  the  body 
of  his  late  enemy,  shot  through  the  heart. 

All  this  happened  in  so  short  a  space  of  time  that 
the  double  tragedy  was  complete  almost  before  Coa- 
coochee  realized  what  was  taking  place. 

The  moment  he  did  so,  he  sprang  to  his  faithful 
companion,  and  kneeling  in  the  dust  beside  him,  raised 
the  creature's  head  in  his  arms.  The  great,  loving 
eyes  opened  slowly  and  gazed  pleadingly  into  the 
face  of  the  young  Indian  ;  with  a  last  effort  the  dog 
feebly  licked  his  hand,  and  then  all  was  over.  Ul-we, 
the  tall  one,  the  noblest  dog  ever  owned  and  loved 
by  a  Seminole,  was  dead. 

Over  this  pathetic  scene  the  group  about  the  grog- 
gery  made  merry  with  shouts  of  laughter  and  taunt- 
ing remarks.  As  Coacoochee,  satisfied  that  his  dog 
was  really  dead,  slowly  rose  to  his  feet,  Salano  jeer- 
ingly  called  out,  "What'll  you  take  for  your  pup 
now,  Injun  ?  " 

The  next  moment  the  man  staggered  back  with 


50  THllOUGH   SWAMP   AND   GLADE 

an  exclamation  of  terror  as  the  young  Indian  sprang 
to  where  he  stood,  and  with  a  face  distorted  by  rage 
hissed  between  his  teeth  : 

"  From  thy  body  shall  thy  heart  be  torn  for  this 
act!     Coacoochee  has  sworn  it." 

Even  as  he  spoke,  a  pistol  held  in  Salano's  hand 
was  levelled  at  his  head,  and  his  face  was  burned  by 
the  explosion  that  instantly  followed,  though  the  bullet 
intended  for  him  whistled  harmlessly  over  his  head. 
A  young  man  who  had  but  that  moment  appeared 
on  the  scene  had  struck  up  the  murderer's  arm  at 
the  instant  of  pulling  the  trigger,  exclaiming  as  he 
did  so  : 

"Are  you  mad,  Salano!  " 

Then  to  Coacoochee  he  said :  "  Go  now  before 
further  mischief  is  done.  The  man  is  crazy  with 
drink,  and  not  responsible  for  his  actions.  I  will 
see  that  no  further  harm  comes  to  you."  Without 
a  word,  but  with  one  penetrating  look  at  the  face  of 
the  speaker,  as  though  to  fix  it  indelibly  on  his 
memory,  the  young  Indian  turned  and  walked  rap- 
idly away. 

He  had  not  gone  more  than  a  mile  from  town,  and 
was  walking  slowly  with  downcast  head  and  filled 
with  bitter  thoughts,  when  he  was  roused  from  his 
unhappy  reverie  by  the  sound  of  galloping  hoofs 
behind  him.  Turning,  he  saw  two  horsemen  rapidly 
approaching  the  place  where  he  stood.  At  the  same 
time  he  became  aware  that  two  others,  who  had  made 


CRUEL  DEATH  OE  UL-WE  THE  STAGHOUND    51 

a  wide  circuit  under  cover  of  the  dense  palmetto 
scrub  on  either  side  of  the  road,  and  thus  obtained 
a  position  in  front  of  him,  were  closing  in  so  as  to 
prevent  his  escape  in  that  direction.  He  could  have 
darted  into  the  scrub,  and  thus  have  eluded  his 
pursuers  for  a  few  minutes ;  and  had  he  been  pos- 
sessed of  his  trusty  rifle,  he  would  certainly  have 
done  so.  But  unarmed  as  he  was,  and  as  his  enemies 
knew  him  to  be,  they  could  easily  hunt  him  out  and 
shoot  him  down  without  taking  any  risk  themselves, 
if  they  were  so  inclined. 

So  Coacoochee  walked  steadily  forward  as  though 
unconscious  of  being  the  object  toward  which  the 
four  horsemen  were  directing  their  course.  He 
wished  he  were  near  enough  to  the  hiding-place  of 
his  warriors  to  call  them  to  him,  but  they  were  still 
a  couple  of  miles  away,  and  even  his  voice  could  not 
be  heard  at  that  distance.  So,  apparently  unaware 
of,  or  indifferent  to,  the  danger  closing  in  on  him, 
the  young  Indian  resolutely  pursued  his  way  until 
he  was  almost  run  down  by  the  horsemen  who  were 
approaching  him  from  behind.  As  they  reined 
sharply  up,  one  of  them  ordered  him  to  halt. 

Coacoochee  did  as  commanded,  and  turning,  found 
himself  again  face  to  face  with  Fontaine  Salano,  the 
man  who  but  a  short  time  before  had  attempted  to 
take  his  life. 


CHAPTER   VII 

COACOOCHEE     IN     THE    CLUTCHES    OF    WHITE 
RUFFIANS 

As  the  young  chief,  obeying  the  stern  command  to 
halt,  faced  about,  he  found  himself  covered  by  a  rifle 
in  the  hands  of  his  most  vindictive  enemy.  He  knew 
in  a  moment  that  a  crisis  in  their  intercourse  had 
been  reached,  and  almost  expected  to  be  shot  down 
where  he  stood,  so  malignant  was  the  expression  of 
the  white  man's  face.  Still,  with  the  wonderful  self- 
control  in  times  of  danger  that  forms  part  of  the 
Indian  character,  he  betrayed  no  emotion  nor  trace 
of  fear.     He  only  asked  : 

"  Why  should  Coacoochee  halt  at  the  command  of 
a  white  man  ?  " 

"  Because,  Coacoochee,  if  such  is  your  outlandish 
name,  the  white  man  chooses  to  make  you  do  so,  and 
because  he  wants  to  see  your  pass,"  replied  Salano, 
sneeringly. 

In  the  meantime  the  other  riders  had  come  up,  and 
two  of  them,  dismounting,  now  stood  on  either  side 
of  the  young  Indian.  In  obedience  to  an  almost 
imperceptible  nod  from  their  leader,  these  two  seized 
him,  and  in  a  moment  had  pinioned  his  arms  behind 

52 


COACOOCHEE  IN  THE  CLUTCHES  OF  RUFFIANS     53 

him.  Coacoochee  could  have  flung  them  from  him 
and  made  a  dash  for  liberty  even  now.  He  did  make 
one  convulsive  movement  in  that  direction  ;  but 
like  a  flash  the  thought  came  to  him  that  this  was 
precisely  what  his  enemies  desired  him  to  do,  that 
they  might  thus  have  an  excuse  for  killing  him.  So 
he  remained  motionless,  and  quietly  allowed  himself 
to  be  bound. 

At  this  a  shade  of  disappointment  swept  over 
Salano's  face,  and  he  muttered  an  oath.  The  truth 
was  that,  terrified  by  Coacoochee's  recent  threat  to 
have  his  life  in  exchange  for  that  of  Ul-we,  which  he 
had  so  cruelly  taken,  the  bully  had  determined  to 
get  rid  of  this  dangerous  youth  without  delay,  and 
had  hit  upon  the  present  plan  for  so  doing.  He  had 
calculated  that  his  victim  would  attempt  to  escape, 
or  at  least  offer  some  resistance.  In  either  case  he 
would  have  shot  him  down  without  compunction,  and 
afterwards  if  called  to  account  for  the  act,  would 
justify  himself  on  the  ground  that  the  Indian  was 
transgressing  a  law  recently  passed  by  the  Legisla- 
ture of  Florida,  which  he,  in  his  character  of  Justice 
of  the  Peace,  was  attempting  to  enforce. 

Still,  his  plan  had  not  wholly  failed,  and  he  now 
proceeded  to  carry  it  to  an  extremity. 

"  So  you  acknowledge  that  you  hain't  got  no  pass, 
do  you,  Injun  ?  And  are  roaming  about  the  country, 
threatening  white  folks'  lives,  and  doing  Lord  knows 
what  other  deviltry  on  your  own  responsibility,"  he 


54  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

said.  "  Now,  then,  listen  to  this."  Drawing  a  paper 
from  his  pocket  as  he  spoke,  the  man  read  as  follows  : 

"  An  Act  to  prevent  Indians  from  roaming  at  large 
throughout  the  Territory :  Be  it  enacted  by  the  Gov- 
ernor and  Legislative  Council  of  the  Territory,  that 
from  and  after  the  passing  of  this  act,  if  any  Indian, 
of  the  years  of  discretion,  venture  to  roam  or  ramble 
beyond  the  boundary  lines  of  the  reservations  which 
have  been  assigned  to  the  tribe  or  nation  to  which 
said  Indian  belongs,  it  shall  and  may  be  lawful  for 
any  person  or  persons  to  apprehend,  seize,  and  take 
said  Indian,  and  carry  him  before  some  Justice  of 
the  Peace,  who  is  hereby  authorized,  empowered,  and 
required  to  direct  (if  said  Indian  have  not  a  writ- 
ten permission  from  the  agent  to  do  some  specific 
act)  that  there  shall  be  inflicted  not  exceeding  thirty- 
nine  (39)  stripes,  at  the  discretion  of  the  Justice,  on 
the  bare  back  of  said  Indian,  and,  moreover,  to  cause 
the  gun  of  said  Indian,  if  he  have  any,  to  be  taken 
away  from  him  and  deposited  with  the  colonel  of  the 
county  or  captain  of  the  district  in  which  said  Indian 
may  be  taken,  subject  to  the  order  of  the  Superin- 
tendent of  Indian  Affairs." 

"  Now,  Mr.  Injun,  what  have  you  got  to  say  to 
that  ?  "  demanded  Salano,  as  he  folded  the  paper  and 
restored  it  to  his  pocket. 

Although  Coacoochee  had  not  understood  all  that 
had  just  been  read  to  him,  he  comprehended  that  by 
a  white  man's  law,  an  Indian  might  be  whipped  like 


COACOOCHEE  IN  THE  CLUTCHES  OF  RUFFIANS     55 

a  slave  or  a  clog,  and  his  blood  boiled  hotly  at  the 
mere  thought  of  such  an  outrage.  Still  he  replied  to 
Salano's  last  question  with  dignity  and  a  forced 
composure. 

"The  Iste-chatte  has  not  been  told  of  this  law. 
It  is  a  new  one  to  him,  and  he  has  had  no  time  to 
learn  it.  It  was  not  put  into  the  treaty.  Coacoochee 
is  the  son  of  a  chief.  If  you  lift  a  hand  against  him, 
you  lift  it  against  the  whole  Seminole  nation.  If 
you  strike  him,  the  land  will  run  red  with  white 
men's  blood.  If  you  kill  him,  his  spirit  will  cry  for 
vengeance,  and  no  place  can  hide  you  from  the  fury 
of  his  warriors.  They  will  not  eat  nor  drink  nor 
sleep  till  they  have  found  you  out,  and  torn  the 
cowardly  heart  from  your  body." 

"  Oh  come  !  "  interrupted  Salano,  with  an  oath, 
"  that  will  do.  We  don't  want  to  hear  any  more 
from  you.  This  Injun  is  evidently  a  dangerous 
character,  gentlemen,  and  as  a  Justice  of  the  Peace 
I  shall  deal  with  him  according  to  the  law.  We'll 
whip  him  first,  and  if  that  isn't  enough,  we'll  hang 
him  afterwards." 

The  three  men  who  accompanied  Salano  were  his 
boon  companions,  and  were  equally  ready  with  him- 
self to  perform  any  deed  of  cruelty  or  wickedness. 
They  regarded  an  Indian  as  fair  game,  to  be  hunted 
and  even  killed  wherever  found.  Nothing  would 
please  them  better  than  a  declaration  of  war  against 
the  Seminoles,  and  they  were  determined  to  leave 


66  THROUGH  SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

nothing  undone  to  hasten  so  desirable  an  event.  To 
whip  an  Indian  under  cover  of  the  law  was  rare  sport, 
and  the  prospect  of  hanging  him  afterwards  rilled 
them  with  a  brutal  joy.  So  they  readily  obeyed  the 
commands  of  their  leader,  and  after  fastening  their 
horses  by  the  roadside,  they  threw  a  slip-noose  over 
Coacoochee's  head,  and  drawing  it  close  about  his 
neck,  led  him  a  short  distance  within  a  grove  of  trees, 
to  one  of  which  they  made  fast  the  loose  end  of  the 
rope.  He  was  thus  allowed  to  step  a  couple  of  paces 
in  each  direction.  Ripping  his  tunic  from  the  neck 
downward  with  a  knife,  they  stripped  it  from  his 
back,  and  all  was  in  readiness  for  their  devilish  deed. 
Their  rifles  had  been  left  hanging  to  their  saddles, 
but  each  man  had  brought  a  raw-hide  riding-whip 
with  him,  and  these  they  now  proposed  to  apply  to 
the  bare  back  of  their  silent  and  unresisting  victim. 
"  Ten  cuts  apiece,  gentlemen  !  "  cried  Salano,  with 
a  ferocious  laugh.  "  That'll  make  the  thirty-nine 
allowed  by  law,  and  one  over  for  good  measure.  I 
take  great  credit  to  myself  for  the  idea  of  making 
the  prisoner  fast  by  the  neck  only,  and  that  with  a 
slip-noose.  He's  got  plenty  of  room  to  dance,  and  if 
he  looses  his  footing  and  hangs  himself,  why,  that'll 
be  his  lookout  and  not  ours.  At  any  rate,  it  will 
be  a  good  riddance  of  the  varmint,  and  will  relieve 
us  from  further  responsibility  in  the  matter.  I  claim 
the  first  cut  at  him  ;  so  stand  back  and  give  me 


COACOOCHEE  IN  THE  CLUTCHES  OF  RUFFIANS     57 

As  the  others  moved  back  a  few  paces,  the  chief 
ruffian  stepped  up  to  the  young  Indian,  and  laying 
.the  raw  hide  across  the  bared  shoulders  as  though  to 
measure  the  width  of  the  blow  he  was  about  to  inflict, 
he  lifted  it  high  above  his  head,  saying  as  he  did 
so  : 

"  You'll  cut  my  heart  out,  will  you,  Injun  ?  We'll 
see  now  who  is  going  to  do  the  cutting." 

Then  with  a  vicious  hiss,  the  raw  hide  swept  down 
with  the  full  force  of  the  arm  that  wielded  it. 

There  was  no  outcry  and  no  movement  on  the  part 
of  the  Indian,  only  his  flesh  shrunk  and  quivered  be- 
neath the  cruel  blow,  which  left  a  livid  stripe  across 
his  shoulders. 

That  blow  was  to  be  paid  for  with  hundreds  of 
innocent  lives,  and  millions  of  dollars.  It  was  to  be 
felt  throughout  the  length  and  breadth  of  the  land, 
and  was  to  be  atoned  by  rivers  of  blood.  In  a  sin- 
gle instant  its  fearful  magic  transformed  the  young 
Indian  who  received  it,  from  a  quiet,  peace-loving 
youth,  with  a  generous,  affectionate  nature,  into  a 
savage  warrior,  relentless  and  pitiless.  It  gave  to 
the  Seminoles  a  leader  whose  very  name  should  be- 
come a  terror  to  their  enemies,  and  it  precipitated 
one  of  the  cruellest  and  most  stubbornly  contested 
Indian  wars  ever  waged  on  American  soil. 

Again  was  the  whip  uplifted,  but  before  it  could 
descend  for  a  second  blow,  the  wretch  who  wielded 
it  was  dashed  to  the  ground,  and  a  white  man  with 


58  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

blazing  eyes  stood  over  his  prostrate  figure.  The 
newcomer  presented  a  cocked  rifle  at  the  startled 
spectators  of  the  proceedings,  who  had  been  too  in- 
tent upon  the  perpetration  of  their  crime  to  take 
notice  of  his  approach. 

"  Cowards  !  "  he  cried,  in  ringing  tones.  "  Does  it 
take  four  of  you  to  whip  one  Indian  ?  Is  this  the 
way  you  continue  a  private  quarrel  and  gratify  your 
devilish  instincts  ?  Bah  !  Such  wretches  as  you  are 
a  disgrace  to  manhood !  You  make  me  ashamed  of 
my  color,  since  it  is  the  same  as  your  own.  Did  you 
not  hear  me  give  my  word  to  this  youth  that  he 
should  go  in  safety?  How  dared  you  then  even 
contemplate  this  outrage?  Perhaps  you  thought 
that  the  word  of  an  Englishman  might  be  defied 
with  impunity.  From  this  moment  you  will  know 
better  ;  for  if  any  one  of  you  ever  dares  cross  my  path 
again,  I  will  shoot  him  in  his  tracks  as  I  would  any 
other  noxious  beast  that  curses  the  earth.  Now  get 
you  gone  from  this  spot  ere  my  forbearance  is  tempted 
beyond  its  strength.  Go  back  to  the  town,  and  there 
proclaim  your  iniquity,  if  you  dare.  You  will  find 
few  sympathizers  in  your  attempt  to  precipitate  an 
Indian  war,  and  deluge  this  fair  land  with  blood. 
Go,  and  go  on  foot.  Your  horses  have  already 
taken  the  road.  Go,  and  if  you  even  dare  to  look 
back  until  out  of  my  sight,  a  bullet  from  this  rifle 
shall  spur  your  lagging  pace.  And  you,  Fontaine 
Salano,  you  brute  of  brutes,  you  pariah  dog,  do  you 


THEN    WITH    A    VICIOUS    HISS     THE    RAWHIDE    SWEPT    DOWN    WITH    THE 
FULL    FORCE   OF   THE    ARM    THAT    WIELDED    IT. 


COACOOCHEE  IN  THE  CLUTCHES  OF  RUFFIANS     59 

go  with  them.  Away  out  of  my  sight,  I  say,  lest  I 
cause  this  Indian  to  flay  your  bare  back  with  the 
lashes  you  intended  for  him." 

Whether  the  four  men  imagined  that  they  were 
confronted  by  one  bereft  of  his  senses,  or  whether 
they  were  indeed  the  cowards  he  called  them,  it  is 
impossible  to  say.  Certain  it  is  that  they  received 
the  young  man's  scathing  words  in  silence,  and,  when 
ordered  to  leave,  they  took  their  departure  with  a 
precipitate  haste  that  would  have  been  comical  under 
less  tragic  circumstances. 

The  stranger  followed  them  to  the  edge  of  the 
wood,  and  watched  them  until  they  disappeared  in 
the  direction  of  the  town.  Then  he  returned  to 
where  Coacoochee,  who  had  not  yet  seen  the  face  of 
his  deliverer,  still  remained  bound  to  the  tree.  As 
with  a  keen-edged  knife  he  cut  the  thongs  confining 
the  young  Indian's  arms,  and  the  rope  about  his  neck, 
thus  allowing  the  latter  to  face  him,  Coacoochee  gave 
a  start  of  surprise.  His  new  friend  was  the  same 
who,  but  an  hour  or  so  before,  had  saved  him  from 
Fontaine  Salano's  pistol  in  the  streets  of  St.  Augus- 
tine. 


CHAPTER  VIII 

RALPH  BOYD   THE  ENGLISHMAN 

The  man  who  had  thus  so  opportunely  come  to 
the  rescue  of  Coacoochee  twice  in  one  day  was  a 
remarkable  character  even  in  that  land  of  advent- 
urers. Descended  from  a  wealthy  English  family, 
well  educated  and  accomplished,  he  had  sought  a 
life  of  adventure,  and  after  spending  some  years  in 
out-of-the-way  corners  of  the  world,  had  finally  set- 
tled down  on  a  large  plantation  in  Florida  left  to  him 
by  an  uncle  whom  he  had  never  seen.  Here  he  now 
lived  with  his  only  sister  Anstice,  who  had  recently 
come  out  to  join  him. 

Filled  with  a  love  for  freedom  and  always  ready 
to  quarrel  with  injustice  in  any  form,  he  had,  before 
even  seeing  his  property,  freed  his  slaves  and  ordered 
his  attorneys  to  discharge  an  oppressive  overseer 
who  had  mismanaged  the  plantation  for  some  years. 
This  man,  whom  Ralph  Boyd  did  not  even  know 
by  sight,  was  no  other  than  our  slave-catching  ac- 
quaintance Mr.  Troup  Jeffers. 

In  that  slave-holding  community  a  man  who  chose 
to  work  his  plantation  with  free  labor  became  imme- 
diately unpopular,  and  some  of  his  neighbors  sought 

60 


RALPH  BOYD  THE  ENGLISHMAN        61 

quarrels  with  him,  in  the  hope  of  driving  him  from 
the  country.  But  they  had  reckoned  without  their 
host.  Ralph  Boyd  was  not  to  be  driven,  as  the  re- 
sult of  several  duels  into  which  they  forced  him 
plainly  proved.  He  was  a  good  shot,  an  expert 
swordsman,  a  capital  horseman,  and  was  apparently 
without  fear.  Therefore  it  was  quickly  discovered 
that  to  meddle  with  the  young  Englishman  was  to 
meddle  with  danger,  and  that  his  friendship  was 
infinitely  preferable  to  his  enmity.  He  was  of  such 
a  sunny  disposition  that  it  was  difficult  to  rouse  him 
to  anger  on  his  own  behalf,  but  he  never  permitted  a 
wrong  to  be  perpetrated  on  the  weak  or  helpless  that 
lay  within  his  powers  of  redress.  Thus  a  case  of 
cowardly  brutality  like  the  present,  and  one  of  which 
the  possible  consequences  were  so  terrible  to  contem- 
plate, filled  him  with  a  righteous  and  well-nigh  un- 
controllable rage. 

The  Boyd  plantation  lay  some  forty  miles  from  St. 
Augustine,  and  Boyd  had  ridden  into  town  that  day 
on  a  matter  of  business.  He  had  reached  it  just  in 
time  to  witness  Salano's  shooting  of  Ul-we.  Filled 
with  indignation  at  the  deed,  and  admiring  the  man- 
ner with  which  Coacoochee  confronted  his  tormentors, 
Boyd  at  once  took  the  young  Indian's  part  and  prob- 
ably saved  his  life.  Then  he  went  about  his  own 
business.  Some  time  afterwards  he  learned  by  the 
merest  accident  of  the  departure  of  Salano  and  his 
evil  associates  on  the  track  of  the  young  chief.     Fear- 


62  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

ing  that  they  meditated  mischief  toward  one  to  whom 
he  had  given  the  promise  of  his  protection,  he  pro- 
cured a  fresh  horse  and  started  in  hot  pursuit. 

Finding  the  four  horses  hitched  by  the  roadside, 
and  noting  that  each  man  had  left  his  rifle  hanging 
to  the  saddle,  Boyd  took  the  precaution  of  putting 
these  safely  out  of  the  way,  by  the  simple  expedient 
of  cutting  the  horses  loose  and  starting  them  on  the 
back  track  before  entering  the  grove.  Then,  follow- 
ing the  sound  of  voices,  he  made  his  way  noiselessly 
among  the  trees  to  the  disgraceful  scene  of  the  whip- 
ping. He  had  not  anticipated  anything  so  bad  as 
this,  and  the  sight  filled  him  with  an  instant  fury. 

Springing  forward,  rifle  in  hand,  •  he  stretched 
Salano  on  the  ground  with  a  single  blow,  and  then 
confronted  the  others.  They  all  knew  him,  and 
would  rather  have  encountered  any  other  two  men. 
His  very  presence,  in  moments  of  wrath,  inspired 
terror,  and  when  he  gave  them  permission  to  go, 
they  slunk  from  him  like  whipped  curs. 

If  Coacoochee  was  startled  at  sight  of  his  deliv- 
erer, Boyd  was  no  less  so  at  the  frightful  change  in 
the  face  of  the  young  Indian.  It  was  no  longer 
that  into  which  he  had  gazed  an  hour  before.  That 
was  the  mobile  face  of  a  youth  reflecting  each  pass- 
ing emotion,  and  though  it  was  even  then  clouded 
by  sorrow  and  anger,  a  little  time  would  have  re- 
stored its  sunshine.  Now  its  features  were  rigid, 
and  stamped  with  a   look   that   expressed   at   once 


RALPH  BOYD  THE  ENGLISHMAN        63 

intolerable  shame  and  undying  hate.  The  eyes 
were  those  of  a  wild  beast  brought  to  bay  and  pre- 
pared for  a  death  struggle. 

The  once  fearless  gaze  now  fell  before  that  of 
the  white  man.  Coacoochee,  proudest  of  Seminoles, 
hung  his  head.  This  man  had  witnessed  his  shame 
and  had  at  the  same  time  placed  him  under  an  obli- 
gation. The  young  Indian  could  not  face  him,  and 
could  not  kill  him,  so  he  stood  motionless  and  silent, 
with  his  eyes  fixed  on  the  ground. 

Ralph  Boyd  appreciated  the  situation,  and  under- 
stood the  other's  feelings  as  though  they  were  his 
own,  as  in  a  way  they  were.  They  would  be  the 
feelings  of  any  free-born,  high-spirited  youth  under 
similar  circumstances. 

"My  poor  fellow,"  said  Boyd,  holding  out  his 
hand  as  he  spoke,  "I  think  I  know  how  you  feel, 
and  I  sympathize  with  you  from  the  bottom  of  my 
heart.  You  will  surely  allow  me  to  be  your  friend, 
though,  seeing  that  I  have  just  made  four  enemies 
on  your  account.  Won't  you  shake  hands  with  me 
in  token  of  friendship?  " 

"I  cannot,"  answered  Coacoochee,  in  a  choked 
voice.  "You  are  a  white  man.  I  have  been 
whipped  by  a  white  man.  Not  until  the  mark  of 
his  blow  has  been  washed  away  with  his  blood  can 
I  take  the  hand  of  any  white  man  in  friendship." 

"  Well,  I  don't  know  but  what  I  should  feel  just 
as  you  do,"  replied  Boyd,  musingly.     "  I  have  never 


64  THROUGH  SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

before  met  any  of  your  people,  but  have  been  told 
that  you  were  a  treacherous  race,  without  any 
notions  of  honor  or  true  bravery.  Now  it  seems 
to  me  that  your  feelings  in  this  matter  are  very 
much  what  mine  would  be  if  I  were  in  your  place. 
Still,  I  hope  you  are  not  going  to  lay  up  any  bitter- 
ness against  me  on  account  of  what  was  done  by 
another,  even  though  we  are,  unfortunately,  both 
of  the  same  color.  I  am  curious  to  know  something 
of  you  Indians,  and  would  much  rather  have  you 
for  a  friend  than  an  enemy." 

"  Coacoochee  will  alwa}^s  be  your  friend,"  answered 
the  other,  earnestly.  "  Some  day  he  will  shake  hands 
with  you.  Not  now.  With  his  life  will  he  serve 
you.  A  Seminole  never  forgives  an  injury,  and  he 
never  forgets  a  kindness.     Now  I  must  go." 

"Hold  on,  Coacoochee;  you  must  not  go  half 
naked  and  with  that  mark  on  your  back,"  exclaimed 
Boyd.  "  Here,  I  have  on  two  shirts,  and  I  insist 
that  you  take  one  of  them.  With  your  permission 
I  will  take  in  exchange  this  buckskin  affair  of  yours 
that  those  villains  cut  so  recklessty,  and  will  keep 
it  as  a  souvenir  of  this  occasion." 

As  he  spoke,  the  young  Englishman  divested  him- 
self of  his  outer  garment,  a  tastefully  made  hunting- 
tunic  of  dark  green  cloth,  and  handed  it  to  Coacoo- 
chee. Without  hesitation  the  Indian  accepted  this 
gift,  and  put  on  the  garment,  which  fitted  him  per- 
fectly. 


RALPH  BOYD  THE  ENGLISHMAN        65 

Then  the  two  young  men  left  the  little  grove  in 
which  events  of  such  grave  import  to  both  had  just 
taken  place,  and  walked  to  where  Boyd  had  left  his 
horse. 

Upon  Coacoochee  saying  that  he  should  go  but 
a  little  further  on  the  road,  the  other  declared 
an  intention  to  accompany  him,  and  so,  leading 
his  horse,  walked  on  beside  the  shame-faced  Ind- 
ian. 

The  more  Boyd  talked  with  Coacoochee,  the  more 
he  was  pleased  with  him.  He  found  him  to  be  in- 
telligent and  modest,  but  high-spirited  and  imbued 
to  an  exaggerated  degree  with  savage  notions  of 
right  and  wrong,  honor  and  dishonor.  To  avenge 
a  wrong  and  repay  a  kindness,  to  deal  honorably 
with  the  honorable  and  treacherously  with  the 
treacherous,  to  serve  a  friend  and  injure  an  enemy, 
was  his  creed,  and  by  it  was  his  life  moulded. 

At  length  they  came  to  the  place  where  the  young 
Indian  said  he  must  leave  the  road.  As  they  paused 
to  exchange  farewells,  the  querulous  note  of  a  hawk 
sounded  from  the  palmetto  scrub  close  beside  them. 
Coacoochee  raised  his  hand,  and  as  though  by  magic 
six  stalwart  warriors  leaped  into  the  road  and  sur- 
rounded them. 

Boyd  made  an  instinctive  movement  toward  his 
rifle,  but  it  was  checked  by  the  sight  of  a  faint  smile 
on  his  companion's  face.  At  the  same  time  the 
latter  said  quietly: 


66  THROUGH   SWAMP   AND   GLADE 

"Fear  nothing;  they  are  my  friends,  and  my 
friends  are  thy  friends." 

To  the  Indians  he  said  in  their  own  tongue,  "  Note 
well  this  man.  He  is  my  friend  and  that  of  all  Sem- 
inoles.  From  them  no  harm  must  ever  come  to 
him." 

Then  he  waved  his  hand,  and  the  six  warriors  dis- 
appeared so  instantly  and  so  utterly  that  the  white 
man  rubbed  his  eyes  and  looked  about  him  in  amaze- 
ment. 

Turning,  to  express  his  surprise  to  Coacoochee,  he 
discovered  that  the  young  chief  had  also  disap- 
peared, and  that  he  alone  occupied  the  road. 


CHAPTER   IX 

MYSTERIOUS   DISAPPEARANCE   OF   A   SENTINEL 

For  a  full  minute  Ralph  Boyd  stood  bewildered 
in  the  middle  of  the  road.  In  vain  did  he  look  for 
some  sign  and  listen  for  some  sound  that  would 
betray  the  whereabouts  of  those  who,  but  a  moment 
before,  had  stood  with  him.  The  tall  grasses  waved 
and  the  flowers  nodded  before  a  gentle  breeze,  but 
it  was  not  strong  enough  to  move  the  stiff  leaves  of 
the  palmetto  scrub,  nor  was  there  any  motion  that 
might  be  traced  to  the  passing  of  human  beings 
among  their  hidden  stalks.  From  the  feathery  tips 
of  the  cabbage  palms  came  a  steady  fluttering  that 
rose  or  fell  with  the  breathings  of  the  wind,  and  in 
far-away  thickets  could  be  heard  the  cooing  of  wood 
doves,  and  the  occasional  cheery  note  of  a  quail,  but 
no  other  sound  broke  the  all-pervading  silence. 

All  at  once  from  a  hammock  growing  at  a  consid- 
erable distance  from  where  the  young  man  stood 
there  came  to  his  ears  the  thrilling  sound  of  a 
Seminole  war-cry: 

"  Yo-ho-ee  yo-ho-ee  yo-ho-ee-che  !  " 

It  was  followed  by  another  and  another,  until  the 
listener   counted  seven  of   the    ominous    cries  in  as 

07 


68  THROUGH   SWAMP   AND   GLADE 

many  distinct  voices,  and  knew  that  they  were 
uttered  by  the  seven  Indians  who  had  stood  with 
him  in  the  road. 

Unaccustomed  to  the  ways  of  red  men,  Boyd  could 
not  understand  how  they  had  glided  so  noiselessly 
and  swiftly  away  from  him. 

"It  is  like  magic,"  he  muttered,  "and  gives  one 
a  creepy  feeling.  What  a  terrible  thing  a  war  with 
such  as  they  would  be  in  this  country,  where  every- 
thing; is  so  favorable  to  them  and  so  unfavorable  to 
the  movements  of  troops.  And  yet  war  is  the  very 
thing  toward  which  the  reckless  course  of  politicians, 
slave-hunters,  and  land-grabbers  is  hurrying  the 
government.  Well,  I  shan't  take  part  in  it,  that's 
certain,  though  my  present  duty  as  a  white  man  is 
plainly  to  ride  back  to  St.  Augustine  and  give  the 
colonel  information  of  this  present  band  of  Indians. 
I  wouldn't  think  of  doing  so,  only  for  fear  that, 
smarting  under  the  insult  to  that  fine  young  fellow 
Coacoochee,  they  will  seek  revenge  and  visit  the  sins 
of  the  gnilty  upon  innocent  heads.  If  Coacoochee 
has  only  followed  my  advice  and  gone  directly  back 
to  the  reservation,  and  to  his  own  place,  there  won't 
be  any  trouble ;  but  if  he  is  going  to  hang  around 
here,  trying  to  lift  a  few  scalps,  as  I  am  afraid  he  is, 
lie  may  get  himself  into  a  fix  from  which  I  can't 
help  him." 

It  must  not  be  supposed  that  Ralph  Boyd  had 
been  standing  in  the  middle  of   the   road  all  this 


MYSTERIOUS  DISAPPEARANCE   OF  A  SENTINEL     69 

time.  He  was  in  the  saddle  even  before  the  sound 
of  the  Indian  war-cries  informed  him  of  the  direc- 
tion they  had  taken  and  where  they  were.  Directly 
afterwards  he  put  spurs  to  his  horse,  and  during  the 
latter  part  of  his  soliloquy  was  galloping  rapidly  back 
over  the  road  he  had  just  come. 

Although  Boyd  knew  Salano  to  be  a  bitter  and 
unscrupulous  enemy,  he  had  no  hesitation  in  return- 
ing to  St.  Augustine  on  his  account,  or  for  fear  of 
the  others  with  whose  cruel  sport  he  had  so  summa- 
rily interfered.  He  did  not  believe  they  would  dare 
publish  what  they  had  done,  or  care  to  acknowledge 
that  they  had  been  driven  off  and  compelled  to 
forego  their  intentions  by  a  single  man. 

To  satisfy  himself  on  this  point,  he  made  a  few 
inquiries  on  reaching  the  city,  and  finding  that  noth- 
ing was  known  of  the  recent  adventure,  he  went  to 
the  colonel  commanding  the  small  garrison  stationed 
in  the  city  and  informed  him  of  the  presence  near 
it  of  an  armed  band  of  seven  Indian  warriors.  He 
also  expressed  his  fear  that  they  intended  mischief 
to  some  of  the  plantations  along  the  St.  John's. 

The  colonel  listened  attentively  to  all  that  he  had 
to  say  and  thanked  him  for  the  information.  Dark- 
ness had  fallen  by  this  time,  and  it  was  too  late  to 
do  anything  that  night,  but  the  officer  promised  to 
send  out  a  scouting  party  of  twenty  troopers  at  day- 
light. In  the  meantime  he  begged  that  Boyd  would 
remain  as  his  guest  over  night,  and  in  the  morning 


70  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

consent  to  guide  the  troops  to  the  place  where  he 
had  seen  the  Indians,  which  the  latter  readily  agreed 
to  do.  He  did  this  the  more  willingly  because  he 
had  learned  that  the  scouting  party  was  to  be  com- 
manded by  Irwin  Douglass,  a  young  lieutenant  with 
whom  he  had  formed  a  pleasant  acquaintance,  and 
who  had  already  visited  him  at  the  plantation. 

When,  after  an  early  and  hurried  cup  of  coffee 
with  the  colonel  and  Douglass  the  following  morn- 
ing, Boyd  joined  the  soldiers,  to  whom  for  a  short 
distance  he  was  to  act  as  guide,  he  was  amazed  to 
find  that  Fontaine  Salano  had  applied  for  and  re- 
ceived permission  to  accompany  them.  He  won- 
dered at  this  as  the  troop  clattered  noisily  Avith 
jingling  sabres  and  bit-chains  out  of  the  quiet  old 
town.  Was  Salano's  hatred  of  the  young  Indian 
whom  he  had  so  cruelly  wronged  so  bitter  that  he 
was  determined  to  seize  every  opportunity  for  kill- 
ing him?  Boycl  could  think  of  no  other  reason  why 
the  man,  naturally  so  indolent,  should  undertake  this 
forced  march  with  all  the  discomforts  that  must 
necessarily  attend  it. 

The  spring  morning  was  just  cool  enough  to  be 
exhilarating.  The  fresh  air  was  laden  with  the  per- 
fume of  orange  groves,  and  from  their  green  coverts 
innumerable  birds  poured  forth  their  choicest  melody. 
The  cavalry  horses,  in  high  spirits  from  long  idleness, 
pranced  gaily  along  the  narrow  streets  and  were 
with  difficulty  reined  to  a  decorous  trot. 


MYSTERIOUS  DISAPPEARANCE   OF  A  SENTINEL      71 

Once  free  from  the  town  and  out  in  the  broad 
plain  of  sand  and  chaparral  that  lay  beyond,  the 
pace  was  quickened,  and  for  several  miles  the  troop 
swung  cheerily  along  at  a  hand  gallop,  with  polished 
.weapons  and  accoutrements  flashing  brightly  in  the 
rays  of  the  neAvly  risen  sun. 

A  halt  was  called  at  the  place  where  Boyd  had 
encountered  the  Indians,  and  scouts  were  sent  in 
search  of  signs.  These  easily  found  the  camp  from 
which  Coacoochee  had  started  on  his  visit  to  town 
the  morning  before,  and  finally  discovered  a  fresh 
trail  leading  to  the  west  or  toward  the  St.  John's. 

It  was  not  easy  for  the  troops,  inexperienced  in 
Indian  warfare,  to  follow  this  on  horseback,  and  they 
soon  lost  it  completely.  This  did  not  greatly  dis- 
turb Lieutenant  Douglass;  for,  being  satisfied  that 
the  plantations  along  the  river  were  the  objective 
points  of  those  whom  he  was  pursuing,  he  deter- 
mined to  push  on  toward  them  without  losing  any 
time  in  attempting  to  rediscover  the  trail. 

That  evening  they  reached  the  great  river  and 
encamped  near  it  without  having  discovered  any 
further  Indian  sign,  or  finding  that  the  few  widely 
scattered  settlers  had  been  given  any  cause  to  sus- 
pect the  presence  of  an  enemy. 

During  that  night,  however,  two  startling  inci- 
dents occurred.  The  first  of  these  was  the  complete 
and  mysterious  disappearance  of  one  of  the  sentinels 
who  guarded  the  camp.     He  had  been  stationed  not 


72  THROUGH  SWAMP  AND  GLADE 

far  from  the  edge  of  the  forest,  but  within  easy  hail 
of  his  sleeping  comrades.  The  sergeant  had  given 
him  particular  cautions  regarding  the  dangers  of  his 
post,  and  warned  him  to  be  keenly  alert  to  every 
sound,  even  the  slightest.  He  had  answered  with  a 
laugh,  that  his  ears  were  too  long  to  permit  anything 
human  to  get  within  a  rod  of  him  without  giving 
him  warning,  and  he  declared  his  intention  of  firing 
in  the  direction  of  any  suspicious  sound. 

So  they  left  him,  and  an  hour  later  the  corporal 
of  the  guard,  visiting  the  post,  found  it  vacant.  In 
the  darkness  it  was  useless  to  hunt  for  the  missing 
sentry,  and  so,  without  giving  a  general  alarm,  the 
corporal  detailed  another  sentinel  to  the  place  of 
the  missing  man,  and  remained  with  him  on  the 
post  until  morning.  They  neither  saw  nor  heard 
anything  to  arouse  their  suspicions,  but  as  soon 
as  daylight  revealed  surrounding  objects,  they  could 
readily  note  signs  of  a  struggle  at  one  end  of  the 
beat  paced  by  their  unfortunate  predecessor. 

There  were  no  traces  of  blood,  nor  in  the  trail 
of  moccasined  feet  leading  away  from  the  spot 
could  any  imprint  of  the  heavy  cavalry  boots  worn 
by  the  missing  soldier  be  found.  The  trail  led  to 
a  small  creek  that  emptied  into  the  river  just  above 
the  camp,  but  there  it  ended.  Both  banks  of  this 
creek  were  carefully  examined  for  a  mile  up  and 
down,  but  they  revealed  no  sign  to  denote  that 
they  had  ever  been  trodden  by  human  feet. 


MYSTERIOUS   DISAPPEARANCE   OF  A  SENTINEL     73 

There  was  nothing  more  to  be  clone.  The  man 
was  reported  as  missing,  and  a  riderless  horse  was 
led  by  one  of  the  troopers  on  that  day's  march,  — 
but  this  mysterious  disappearance  and  unknown 
fate  of  their  comrade  served  to  open  the  eyes  of 
the  soldiers  to  the  dreadful  possibilities  of  Indian 
warfare. 


CHAPTER   X 


Another  mysterious  happening  of  that  first  night 
out  was  well  calculated  to  exercise  a  depressing 
effect  on  the  men  and  to  transform  the  contempt 
they  had  hitherto  felt  for  Indians  into  a  profound 
respect  not  unmixed  with  fear.  Fontaine  Salano 
slept  rolled  in  his  blanket  not  far  from  the  lieu- 
tenant in  command  of  the  party,  and  within  the 
full  light  of  a  camp-fire.  Toward  morning,  how- 
ever, this  fire  had  burned  so  low  that  it  shed  but 
little  light,  and  the  place  where  Salano  lay  was 
buried  in  shadow. 

When  he  awoke  at  the  first  peep  of  dawn,  he  was 
puzzled  by  the  appearance  of  a  number  of  strange 
objects  that  rose  from  the  ground  close  by  his  head. 
He  examined  them  curiously,  but  his  curiosity  was 
in  an  instant  changed  to  horror  when  he  discovered 
them  to  be  seven  blood-stained  Indian  arrows  thrust 
into  the  ground,  three  on  each  side  of  where  his 
head  had  lain  and  one  at  the  upper  end  of  his  couch. 
This  one  bore  impaled  on  its  shaft  the  bloody  heart 
of  a  recently  killed  deer,  the  significance  of  which 
was  so  plain  that  no  one  could  fail  to  understand  it. 

74 


SALANO'S  TREACHERY  AND  ITS  REWARD  75 

The  mere  fact  that  the  Indians  had  thus  been 
able  to  penetrate  undetected  to  the  very  centre  of 
a  guarded  camp  invested  them  in  the  eyes  of  the 
men  with  supernatural  powers.  The  effect  on  Sa- 
lano  was  precisely  what  Coacoochee  had  intended 
it  should  be.  To  feel  that  he  had  been  completely 
within  the  power  of  one  who  had  sworn  to  have 
his  life  and  had  only  been  spared  as  a  cat  spares 
a  mouse,  that  she  may  prolong  its  torture  for  her 
own  pleasure,  filled  the  wretch  with  a  terror  pitiful 
to  behold. 

He  begged  Lieutenant  Douglass  to  return  at  once 
to  St.  Augustine  or  at  least  to  send  him  back  under 
escort.  The  officer  politely  regretted  his  inability 
to  comply  with  either  of  these  requests,  saying  that 
it  would  be  contrary  to  his  duty  to  retire  from  that 
part  of  the  country  until  satisfied  that  the  Indians 
had  left  it,  and  that  he  dared  not  weaken  his  little 
force  by  detailing  any  men  for  escort  duty. 

The  man  displayed  such  abject  cowardice  that 
finally,  more  out  of  disgust  than  pity,  Ralph  Boyd 
offered  to  accompany  him  back  to  the  city,  and  to 
his  surprise,  Salano  accepted  the  offer  eagerly.  As 
they  were  both  volunteers,  Douglass  had  no  author- 
ity for  detaining  them,  though  he  protested  against 
the  undertaking,  and  tried  to  persuade  them  of  its 
dangers.  Ralph  Boyd  only  laughed,  and  even  Salano 
intimated  a  belief  that  the  Indians  would  devote 
themselves  to  watching  the  movements  of  the  scout- 


76  THEOUGH  SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

ing  party,  so  that  to  remain  with  them  would  be  to 
remain  in  the  vicinity  of  greatest  clanger. 

The  lieutenant  said  that  he  should  remove  his 
command  only  a  short  distance,  to  a  better  and  more 
secure  camping-ground  that  he  knew  of  not  very  far 
from  Boyd's  plantation,  over  which  he  promised  to 
keep  especial  watch.  He  intended  to  remain  at 
that  place  until  he  learned  something  definite  re- 
garding the  movements  of  the  Indians,  and  there 
Boyd  promised  to  rejoin  him  on  the  following  day. 

Camp  was  broken,  and  the  clear  bugle  notes  of 
"  boots  and  saddles  "  were  ringing  on  the  still  morn- 
ing air  as  Boyd  and  Salano  rode  away  from  the 
camp  on  the  return  trail  to  St.  Augustine.  They 
rode  in  silence;  for  one  entertained  too  great  a  con- 
tempt for  the  other  to  care  to  talk  with  him,  and 
Salano  was  perfecting  a  plan  for  obtaining  one 
portion  of  the  revenge  upon  which  his  mind  was 
intent. 

They  had  not  proceeded  thus  more  than  two  miles, 
when  they  came  to  a  narrow  gully  through  which 
they  were  obliged  to  ride  in  single  file,  and  here  Sa- 
lano, with  an  exaggerated  show  of  politeness,  dropped 
behind,  allowing  Boyd  to  take  the  lead. 

The  latter  rode  unsuspectingly  ahead  for  a  few 
rods,  and  then,  not  hearing  the  sound  of  the  other's 
horse  behind  him,  turned  to  see  if  he  were  not 
coming. 

The   sight   that  met  his  eyes  was  so  unexpected 


SALANO'S  TREACHERY  AND  ITS   REWARD  77 

and  terrible  that  for  an  instant  it  rendered  him  in- 
capable of  thought  or  action.  Salano,  dismounted 
from  his  horse,  was  slowly  raising  a  rifle  and  taking 
deliberate  aim  at  him.  He  could  see  the  cruelly 
triumphant  expression  on  the  swarthy  face.  In 
that  instant  of  time  he  also  saw  a  flashing  figure 
with  uplifted  arm  leap  from  the  underbrush  behind 
Salano.     Then  all  became  a  blank. 

When  next  Ralph  Boyd  was  able  to  take  an 
interest  in  the  affairs  of  this  world,  he  was  lying  in 
the  shade  of  a  tree,  two  horses  were  cropping  the 
grass  near  him,  and  a  strange,  wild-looking  figure 
was  dashing  water  in  his  face. 

"What  does  this  mean?  What  has  happened?" 
Boyd  inquired  faintly. 

"Wal,  cap'n,"  answered  the  stranger,  in  unmis- 
takable English,  pausing  in  his  occupation  and  draw- 
ing a  long  breath.  "  I'm  almighty  glad  you  ain't  dead. 
The  Injun  said  you  warn't,  but  I  wouldn't  be  sure 
of  it  myself  till  this  very  minute.  As  to  what's 
happened,  I'm  a  leetle  mixed  myself,  but  it's  some- 
thing like  this  :  Some  red  villians  was  about  to  do 
for  me  when  you  come  along  and  stopped  'em.  Then 
a  white  villian  was  about  to  do  for  you,  when  one 
of  the  red  villians  stopped  him,  or  at  any  rate  he 
stopped  the  worst  of  it ;  then  the  red  villian  did 
for  the  white  villian,  and  did  it  almighty  thorough 
too." 

At  this  juncture  Boyd  again  closed  his  eyes  and 


78  THROUGH   SWAMP   AND   GLADE 

seemed  about  to  lapse  once  more  into  unconscious- 
ness, whereupon  the  stranger  began  again  to  clash 
water  vigorously  in  his  face. 

There  was  a  stinging  sensation  and  a  loud  buzzing 
in  the  young  man's  head.  Salano's  murderous  aim 
had  been  slightly  disconcerted,  at  the  moment  of 
firing,  by  a  fierce  yell  in  his  very  ear.  At  the  in- 
stant of  pulling  the  trigger  Coacoochee's  terrible 
knife  had  been  buried  to  the  hilt  in  his  body.  The 
would-be  murderer  sank  dead  without  a  groan,  while 
his  intended  victim  escaped  with  a  scalp  wound 
which,  though  not  dangerous,  was  sufficient  to  de- 
prive him  of  his  senses  for  some  time. 

When  he  had  sufficiently  recovered  his  strength  to 
>  be  able  to  sit  up,  and  after  he  had  listened  to  these 
details  of  his  own  narrow  escape,  he  looked  curiously 
at  his  companion  and  asked  him  who  he  was.  It  is 
no  wonder  that  he  did  not  recognize  the  strange 
figure;  for  though  the  man  wore  a  pair  of  army 
trousers,  he  had  Indian  moccasins  on  his  feet,  was 
bare-headed,  and  naked  to  the  waist.  Half  his  face 
as  well  as  half  of  his  body  was  painted  red  and  the 
other  half  black. 

In  this  manner  did  the  Seminoles  prepare  their 
bodies  for  death,  and  to  those  who  understood  its 
meaning,  this  combination  of  the  two  colors  had  a 
very  grim  significance.  Fortunately  for  the  man's 
peace  of  mind,  he  had  not  understood  why  this  form 
of  decoration  was  applied  to  him,  though  his  fears 


SALANO'S   TREACHERY  AND    ITS   REWARD  79 

that  his  life  was  in  clanger  had  been  very  fully 
aroused. 

In  answer  to  Ralph  Boyd's  questions,  he  told  his 
story  as  follows  :  "  I'm  not  surprised  that  you  don't 
recognize  me,  cap'n  ;  for  I'm  not  quite  sure  that 
I'd  recognize  myself.  Still,  whatever  I  may  be  to- 
day, yesterday  I  was  private  Hugh  Belcher  of  Com- 
pany B,  Second  Regiment  United  States  Dragoons." 

"  What !  "  exclaimed  Boyd,  "  are  you  the  sentry 
who  disappeared  last  night  ?  " 

"That's  who  I  am,  sir,"  replied  the  other,  "much 
as  my  present  appearance  would  seem  to  point  again 
its  being  true.  How  the  Reds  crept  upon  me  with- 
out me  hearing  a  sound  of  their  coming  is  more  than 
I  can  tell,  for  I've  always  bragged  that  my  ears  were 
as  sharp  as  the  next  man's.  However,  they  did  it, 
and  the  first  I  knew  of  their  presence  was  when  a 
blanket  was  flung  over  my  head  and  I  was  tripped 
up.  I  don't  know  how  many  of  'em  had  me,  but 
there  was  enough,  anyway,  to  hold  me  fast,  and  tie 
me  and  get  a  gag  into  my  mouth,  so  that  I  couldn't 
make  a  sound.  Then  they  pulled  off  my  boots,  put 
moccasins  on  my  feet,  and  made  me  go  along  with 
them. 

"  After  awhile  we  came  to  this  place,  and  here,  as 
soon  as  it  got  light,  they  stripped  me  and  painted  me 
and  tied  me  to  a  tree,  and  was  just  getting  ready  to 
give  me  a  thrashing  with  a  lot  of  switches  they'd 
cut,  though  Lord  knows  I  hadn't  done  nothing  to 


80  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

rile  'em,  when  all  of  a  sudden  you  and  Mr.  Salano 
hove  in  sight. 

"  I  was  faced  that  way  and  see  Mr.  Salano  when 
he  dropped  off  his  horse  and  drawed  a  bead  on  you. 
I'd  a  hollered,  but  the  gag  was  still  in  my  mouth, 
so  I  couldn't.  When  the  head  Injun  see  what  was 
taking  place  though,  he  gave  one  spring  out  of  the 
brush,  and  landed  on  Mr.  Salano's  back  like  a  wildcat. 
At  the  same  time  he  let  loose  a  yell  fit  to  raise  the 
dead.  The  gun  went  off  just  as  he  yelled,  and  you 
tumbled  out  of  the  saddle  like  you  was  killed. 

"  When  the  head  Injun  saw  that,  he  run  up  to  you 
first  and  dragged  you  to  this  place.  Then  he  run 
back  to  Mr.  Salano  and  stooped  over  him  like  he  was 
feeling  of  his  heart  to  see  if  he  was  dead.  When  he 
riz  up  again,  he  fetched  another  yell  and  called  out 
something  in  his  own  lingo  about  Ul-we.  Then  the 
rest  crowded  around  him,  and  he  talked  to  them  for 
about  a  minute. 

"  After  that  they  come  back  and  cut  me  loose,  and 
the  head  Injun,  pointing  to  you,  said  in  English, c  You 
are  free.  Care  for  him.  He  is  not  dead.  Tell  him 
Coacoochee's  heart  is  no  longer  heavy.  He  will  go 
to  his  own  people.  If  the  soldiers  want  him,  let 
them  seek  him  in  the  swamps  of  the  Okeefenokee.' 
Then,  without  another  word,  they  all  disappeared, 
and  I  set  to  work  to  bring  you  to." 

Thus  was  the  death  of  Ul-we,  the  tall  one,  atoned 
for  in  heart's   blood,  and   thus   was   the  stripe   on 


SALANO'S  TREACHERY  AND   ITS   REWARD  81 

Coacoochee's  back  washed  out  with  the  blood  of 
him  who  had  so  wantonly  inflicted  it.  Thus,  also, 
did  Coacoochee  save  the  life  of  his  friend  and 
punish  the  would-be  assassin  who  had  so  planned 
his  cowardly  revenge  upon  Ralph  Boyd  that  the 
act  would  be  credited  to  the  Indians. 

With  the  accomplishment  of  this  deed  of  just 
retribution,  Coacoochee  and  his  warriors  disappeared 
from  that  part  of  the  country,  nor  were  they  again 
seen  there  for  many  months. 


CHAPTER   XI 

THE   SEMINOLE   MUST   GO 

The  Seminoles  must  be  removed.  The  clamor  of 
the  land-speculator,  the  slave-hunter,  and  a  host  of 
others  interested  in  driving  the  Indian  from  his 
home  had  at  length  been  listened  to  at  Washington, 
and  the  fiat  had  gone  forth.  The  Seminoles  must 
be  removed  to  the  distant  west  —  peaceably  if  possi- 
ble, but  forcibly  if  they  will  not  go  otherwise. 

A  new  treaty  had  been  made  by  which  the  Indians 
agreed  to  remove  to  the  new  home  selected  for  them, 
provided  a  delegation  of  chiefs  appointed  to  visit 
the  western  land  reported  favorably  concerning  it. 
These  went,  saw  the  place,  and  upon  their  return 
reported  it  to  be  a  cold  country  where  Seminoles 
would  be  very  unhappy. 

Upon  hearing  this,  the  Indians  said  that  they 
would  prefer  to  remain  where  they  were.  There- 
upon the  United  States  Government  said  through 
its  commissioners  that  it  made  no  difference  whether 
they  wanted  to  go  or  not  ;  they  must  go. 

In  the  meantime,  outrages  of  every  kind  were 
perpetrated  upon  the  Indians.  The  whipping  of 
those  discovered  off  the  reservation,  that  was  begun 


THE    SEMINOLE   MUST   GO  83 

with  Coacoochee,  was  continued.  Several  Indians 
were  thus  whipped  to  death  by  the  white  brutes 
into  whose  cowardly  hands  they  fell.  The  system 
of  withholding  annuities  and  supplies  was  continued, 
.and  the  helpless  Indians  were  recklessly  plundered 
right  and  left. 

General  Andrew  Jackson,  who  was  now  President, 
had  no  love  for  Indians.  He  had  in  former  years 
wronged  them  too  cruelly  for  that,  while  teaching 
them  lessons  of  the  white  man's  power.  He  there- 
fore appointed  General  Wiley  Thompson  of  Georgia, 
as  the  Seminole  agent,  and  ordered  him  to  compel 
their  removal  to  the  far  west  without  further  delay. 
He  also  sent  troops  to  Florida,  and  these  began  to 
gather  at  Fort  Brooke  and  Tampa  Bay  under  com- 
mand of  General  Clinch. 

It  was  evident  that  the  Seminoles  must  either  sub- 
mit to  leave  the  sunny  land  of  their  birth,  their 
homes,  and  the  graves  of  their  fathers,  or  they  must 
fight  in  its  defence,  and  for  their  rights  as  free  men. 
If  they  consented  to  go  west  to  the  land  that  those 
chiefs  who  had  seen  it  described  as  cold  and  unpro- 
ductive, they  would  find  already  established  there 
their  old  and  powerful  enemies,  the  Creeks,  who 
were  eagerly  awaiting  their  coming,  with  a  view  to 
seizing  their  negro  allies  and  selling  them  into  slav- 
ery. It  was  evident  that  a  fight  for  his  very  exist- 
ence was  to  be  forced  upon  the  Seminole  in  either 
case,  and  it  only  remained  for  him  to  choose  whether 


84  THROUGH  SWAMP  AND  GLADE 

he  would  fight  in  his  own  land,  of  which  he  knew 
every  swamp,  hammock,  and  glade,  and  of  which 
his  enemy  was  ignorant,  or  whether  he  should  go  to 
a  distant  country,  of  which  he  knew  nothing,  and 
fight  against  an  enemy  already  well  acquainted 
with  it. 

This  was  the  alternative  presented  to  the  warriors 
of  Philip  Emathla's  village  assembled  about  their 
council  fire  on  a  summer's  evening  a  few  weeks  after 
that  with  which  this  history  opens. 

On  Coacoochee,  now  sitting  in  the  place  of  honor 
at  the  right  hand  of  the  chief  his  father  and  earnestly 
regarding  the  speaker  who  laid  this  state  of  affairs 
before  them,  the  weeks  just  passed  had  borne  with 
the  weight  of  so  many  years.  During  their  short 
space  he  had  passed  from  youth  to  manhood.  Hav- 
ing directed  the  search  for  himself  that  followed  the 
death  of  Salano,  toward  the  Okeefenokee,  while 
his  village  lay  in  exactly  the  opposite  direction,  he 
had  escaped  all  intercourse  with  the  whites  from  that 
time  to  the  present.  But  from  that  experience  he 
had  returned  so  much  wiser  and  graver  that  his 
advice  was  now  sought  by  warriors  much  older 
than  he,  while  by  those  of  his  own  age  and  younger 
he  was  regarded  as  a  leader.  Thus,  though  still  a 
youth  in  years,  and  though  he  still  reverenced  and 
obeyed  his  father,  he  was  to  all  intents  the  chief  of 
Philip  Emathla's  powerful  band. 

It  was  in  this  capacity  that  the  speaker,  to  hear 


THE   SEMINOLE   MUST  GO  85 

whom  this  council  was  gathered,  evidently  regarded 
him,  and  it  was  to  Coacoochee  that  his  remarks  were 
especially  directed. 

This  speaker  was  a  member  of  a  band  of  Seminoles 
known  as  the  Baton  Rouge  or  Red  Sticks,  who  oc- 
cupied a  territory  at  some  distance  from  that  of  King 
Philip.  His  father,  whom  he  had  never  known,  was 
a  white  man,  but  his  mother  was  the  daughter  of 
a  native  chieftain,  and  though  he  spoke  English 
fluently,  he  had  passed  all  of  his  twenty-eight  years 
among  the  Seminoles,  and  they  were  his  people. 
Although  not  a  chief,  nor  yet  regarded  as  a  prom- 
inent leader,  he  was  possessed  of  such  force  of  char- 
acter and  such  a  commanding  presence  that  he  had 
acquired  a  great  influence  over  all  the  Indians  with 
whom  he  was  thrown  in  contact.  His  name  was 
Ah-ha-se-ho-la  (black  drink),  generally  pronounced 
Osceola  by  the  whites,  who  also  called  him  by  his 
father's  name  of  Powell. 

This  dauntless  warrior  was  bitterly  opposed  to  the 
emigration  of  his  tribe,  and  was  anxious  to  declare 
war  against  the  whites  rather  than  submit  to  it. 
He  believed  that  the  Seminoles,  roaming  over  a  vast 
extent  of  territory  abounding  in  natural  hiding- 
places,  might  defend  themselves  against  any  army 
of  white  soldiers  that  should  undertake  to  subdue 
them  for  at  least  three  years.  Could  the  conflict  be 
sustained  for  that  length  of  time  without  the  whites 
gaining  any  decided  advantages,  he  declared  they 


86  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

would  then  give«»up  the  struggle  and  allow  the 
Indians  to  retain  their  present  lands  unmolested. 

Osceola  was  now  visiting  the  different  bands  of 
the  tribe,  preaching  this  crusade  of  resistance  to 
tyranny.  As  he  stood  before  Philip  Emathla  and 
his  warriors,  with  his  noble  figure  and  fine  face  fully 
displayed  in  the  bright  firelight,  they  were  thrilled 
by  his  eloquence.  With  bated  breath  they  listened 
to  his  summing  up  of  their  grievances,  and  when 
he  declared  that  he  would  rather  die  fighting  for  this 
land  than  live  in  any  other,  they  greeted  his  words 
with  a  murmur  of  approving  assent. 

Never  had  Coacoochee  been  so  powerfully  affected. 
The  sting  of  the  white  man's  whip  across  his  shoulders 
was  still  felt,  and  he  was  choked  with  the  sense  of 
outrage  and  injustice  inflicted  upon  his  people.  His 
fingers  clutched  nervously  at  the  hilt  of  his  knife 
and  he  longed  for  the  time  to  come  when  he  might 
fight  madly  for  all  that  a  man  holds  most  dear. 

As  his  gaze  wandered  for  a  moment  from  the  face 
of  the  speaker,  it  fell  on  a  group  just  visible  within 
the  circle  of  firelight.  There  sat  the  beautiful  girl  to 
whom  he  had  so  recently  plighted  his  troth,  and 
beside  her  Chen-o-wah,  the  daughter  of  a  Creek 
chief  and  his  quadroon  squaw.  She  was  the  wife 
of  Osceola,  and  the  one  being  in  all  the  world  whom 
the  fierce  forest  warrior  loved. 

For  a  moment  Coacoochee's  determination  wavered 
as  he  reflected  what  these  and  others  equally  help- 


THE   SEMINOLE   MUST  GO  87 

less  would  suffer  in  a  time  of  war.  There  came  a 
memory  of  the  manner  in  which  Nita's  mother  and 
brother  had  been  consigned  to  slavery  by  the  white 
man.  No  word  had  come  from  them,  but  he  could 
imagine  their  fate.  Might  not  the  same  fate  over- 
take her  most  dear  to  him  and  hundreds  of  others 
with  her  ?  Would  it  not  be  better  for  them  to  incur 
the  dangers  and  sufferings  of  war  rather  than  those 
of  slavery  ?     Yes,  a  thousand  times  yes. 

And  then,  perhaps  the  whites  were  not  so  very 
powerful,  after  all.  Their  soldiers,  so  far  as  he  had 
seen  them,  were  but  few  in  number,  and  moved 
slowly  from  place  to  place.  He  and  his  warriors 
could  travel  twenty  miles  to  their  five.  Besides, 
there  were  the  vast  watery  fastnesses  of  the  Ever- 
glades and  the  Big  Cypress  in  the  far  south,  to 
which  the  Indians  could  always  retreat  and  into 
which  no  white  man  would  ever  dare  follow  them. 
Yes,  his  voice  should  be  raised  for  war,  no  matter 
how  long  it  might  last,  nor  how  bloody  it  might  be, 
and  the  sooner  it  could  be  begun,  the  better.  But 
he  must  listen,  for  Philip  Emathla  was  about  to 
speak. 


CHAPTER  XII 

CHEN-O-WAH   IS    STOLEN    BY   THE    SLAVE-CATCHERS 

The  aged  chieftain  rose  slowly  and  for  a  moment 
gazed  lovingly  and  in  silence  at  those  gathered  about 
him;  then  he  said:  "  My  children,  we  have  listened 
to  the  words  of  Ah-ha-se-ho-la,  and  we  know  them 
to  be  trne.  But  he  has  spoken  with  the  voice  of  a 
young  man.  He  sees  with  young  eyes.  My  eyes 
are  old,  but  they  can  look  back  over  many  seasons 
that  a  young  man  cannot  see.  They  can  also  look 
forward  further  than  his,  and  see  many  things.  I 
have  seen  the  great  council  of  the  white  man,  and 
his  warriors.  I  have  seen  his  villages.  His  lodges 
are  more  numerous  than  the  trees  of  the  forest,  and 
his  numbers  are  those  of  the  leaves  of  countless 
trees.  To  fight  with  him  would  be  like  fighting 
the  waves  of  the  great  salt  waters  that  reach  to  the 
sky.  If  we  should  kill  one,  ten  would  spring  up  to 
take  his  place.  For  a  hundred  who  may  fall,  a  thou- 
sand will  stand.  He  is  strong,  and  we  are  weak. 
Let  us  then  live  at  peace  with  him  while  we  may. 
Let  us  meet  him  in  council  and  tell  him  how  little 
it  is  that  we  ask.  There  is  a  land  beyond  Okee- 
chobee, the  great  sweet  water,  that  the  white  man 

88 


CHEN-O-WAH   STOLEN  BY   SLAVE-CATCHERS      89 

can  never  want,  but  where  the  red  man  could  dwell 
in  peace  and  plenty.  Let  him  leave  this  to  us,  and 
we  will  ask  no  more. 

"  If  he  will  not  do  this,  then  let  us  fight.  Never 
will  Philip  Emathla  consent  to  go  to  the  strange 
and  distant  land  of  the  setting  sun.  If  it  is  a  better 
land  than  this,  as  the  white  man  tells  us,  why  does 
he  not  go  there  himself  and  leave  us  alone  ?  It  is 
a  cold  country.  My  people  would  die  there.  It  is 
better  to  die  here  and  die  fighting. 

"  The  white  chief  at  Fort  King  calls  us  together 
for  one  more  talk  with  him.  Philip  is  old.  He 
cannot  travel  so  far,  but  Coacoochee  shall  go  in  his 
place.  He  will  speak  wisely,  and  if  peace  can  be 
had,  he  will  find  it.  If  there  is  no  peace,  if  the 
Seminole  must  fight,  then  who  will  fight  harder  or 
more  bravely  than  Coacoochee  ?  At  his  name  the 
white  man  will  tremble,  and  his  squaws  will  hide 
their  faces  in  fear.  The  enemies  of  Coacoochee  will 
fall  before  him  as  ripe  fruit  falls  before  the  breath 
of  Hu-la-lah  (the  wind).  He  will  kill  till  lie  is  weary 
of  killing.  His  footsteps  will  be  marked  with  blood. 
Rivers  of  blood  shall  flow  where  he  passes.  I  am 
old  and  feeble,  but  Coacoochee  is  young  and  strong. 
From  this  day  shall  he  be  a  war- chief  of  the  Semi- 
noles.     Philip  Emathla  has  spoken." 

At  this  announcement  there  came  a  great  shout 
of  rejoicing,  and  as  the  council  broke  up,  the  war- 
riors crowded  about   Coacoochee   to   tell   him   how 


90  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND    GLADE 

proud  they  would  be  to  have  him  lead  them  in 
battle. 

After  the  tumult  had  somewhat  subsided,  Os- 
ceola, who  had  not  hitherto  spoken  directly  to 
Coacoochee,  stepped  up  to  him.  The  two  young 
men  grasped  each  other's  hands,  and  gazed  earn- 
estly in  each  other's  face.  Finally  Osceola,  appar- 
ently satisfied  with  what  he  saw,  broke  the  silence, 
and  said  : 

"  We  are  brothers  ?  " 

"We  are  brothers,"  answered  the  young  war- 
chief,  and  thus  was  made  a  compact  between  the 
two  that  was  only  to  be  broken  by  death. 

The  following  morning,  Coacoochee,  with  a  small 
escort  of  warriors,  set  forth,  in  company  with  Osce- 
ola and  Chen-o-wah,  to  travel  to  the  village  of  Mi- 
canopy,  head  chief  of  the  Seminoles,  there  to  hold 
another  council  before  going  to  Fort  King  for  a  talk 
with  the  agent. 

In  Micanopy's  village  they  found  assembled  a 
large  number  of  Seminole  warriors,  and  many  of 
the  sub-chiefs  of  the  tribe.  This  council  was  a 
grave  and  momentous  affair.  It  was  to  decide  the 
fate  of  a  nation,  and  its  deliberations  were  prolonged 
over  two  days.  Micanopy,  the  head  chief,  was  ofd, 
corpulent,  and  fond  of  his  ease.  He  loved  his  land 
and  hated  the  thought  of  war.  He  was  greatly  dis- 
inclined to  remove  to  the  west,  but  it  was  not  until 
urged  and  almost  compelled  by  the   younger  men, 


CHEN-O-WAH   STOLEN  BY   SLAVE-CATCHERS       91 

especially  Coacoochee  and  Osceola,  that  he  finally 
declared  positively  that  he  would  not  do  so. 

His  utterance  decided  the  majority  of  the  council. 
They  would  fight  before  submitting  to  removal,  but 
on  one  pretext  and  another  they  would  gain  all  pos- 
sible time  in  which  to  prepare  for  war. 

It  was  also  announced  at  this  council  that  any 
Seminole  who  should  openly  advocate  removal,  and 
should  make  preparations  for  emigrating,  should  be 
put  to  death. 

In  all  the  council  there  was  but  one  dissenting 
voice.  It  was  that  of  a  sub-chief  named  Charlo, 
who  had  been  raised  to  the  head  of  a  small  band  by 
the  agent,  in  place  of  an  able  warrior  who  was  an 
uncompromising  enemy  of  the  whites.  This  petty 
chief  spoke  in  favor  of  removal,  and  ridiculed  the 
suggestion  that  the  tribe  could  hold  out  for  any 
length  of  time  against  the  overwhelming  power  of 
the  white  man.  He  was  listened  to  with  impatience, 
and  many  dark  glances  were  cast  at  him  as  he  re- 
sumed his  seat. 

Three  days  later  some  fourteen  chiefs,  accompanied 
by  a  large  number  of  their  people,  were  encamped 
near  Fort  King,  and  active  preparations  were  going 
forward  for  the  great  talk  that  was  to  be  held  that 
afternoon. 

On  the  morning  of  that  day,  a  thick-set,  evil-look- 
ing man,  whom  the  reader  would  at  once  recognize 
as  his  old  acquaintance  Mr.  Troup  JefTers  the  slave- 


92  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

trader,  sat  in  the  agent's  office  engaged  in  earnest 
conversation  with  General  Wiley  Thompson. 

"Thar  ain't  no  doubt  about  it,  gineral,"  he  was 
saying.  "  She's  easy  enough  identified,  and  I'll  take 
my  affidavy  right  here  that  she's  the  gal  Jess  who 
run  away  from  old  Miss  Cooke's  place  two  year  ago. 
You've  got  a  list  of  all  them  niggers  and  their  de- 
scription, as  well  as  the  order  from  Washington  for 
their  capture  and  deliverin'  up.  You  know  you 
have,  and  when  I  tell  you  what  this  gal  looks  like, 
you  see  if  she  don't  answer  the  description  exactly." 

uYes,  sir,  I've  no  doubt,"  answered  the  agent, 
wearily,  for  of  the  many  trials  of  his  difficult  posi- 
tion, the  importunities  of  the  slave-hunters  who 
besieged  him  at  all  hours  were  the  greatest.  "I 
don't  doubt  what  you  say,  and  I'll  give  you  an 
order  for  the  girl  which  you  can  present  to  the 
chiefs.  If  they  give  her  up,  well  and  good ;  but  if 
they  won't,  why  they  won't,  that's  all,  and  matters 
are  too  critical  just  now  for  us  to  attempt  to  force 
them." 

"All  right,  gineral,"  replied  Mr.  Jeffers,  with  a 
triumphant  glitter  in  his  cruel  little  eyes.  "  The 
order  is  all  I  want,  and  I'll  get  the  gal  without  put- 
ting you  or  anybody  else  to  a  mite  of  trouble." 

Thus  saying,  the  trader  took  the  slip  of  paper 
handed  him  by  the  agent,  and  left  the  office. 

Like  a  vulture  scenting  the  carnage  from  afar, 
the  slave-trader  hearing  that  the  Seminoles  and  their 


CHEN-O-WAH   STOLEN  BY   SLAVE-CATCHERS       93 

negro  allies  were  about  to  be  removed,  had  hastened 
to  the  scene  of  action,  determined  in  some  way  to 
secure  a  share  of  the  peculiar  property  in  which 
he  dealt,  before  it  should  be  placed  beyond  his 
reach. 

In  the  Indian  camp  he  had  seen  several  good- 
looking  young  women  in  whose  veins  he  was  con- 
vinced flowed  negro  blood,  and  he  decided  that  his 
purpose  would  be  served  by  securing  one  or  more  of 
these.  Going  to  the  agent  with  the  trumped-up 
story  of  having  thus  discovered  a  runaway  slave  girl, 
he  obtained  the  coveted  order  for  her  restoration  to 
her  lawful  owner.  Armed  with  this,  he  proceeded 
to  carry  out  his  wicked  design. 

His  plan  was  very  simple,  and  to  put  it  into  opera- 
tion, he  repaired  to  the  store  of  the  post  trader.  It 
was  located  in  a  grove  of  live  oaks,  some  distance 
beyond  the  stockade,  and  was  hidden  from  view  of 
those  in  or  near  the  fort.  To  it,  groups  of  Indians, 
men,  women,  and  children,  found  their  way  at  all 
times  for  the  purchase  of  such  supplies  as  they 
needed  and  could  afford. 

Rogers,  the  storekeeper,  whose  conscience  from  a 
long  dealing  with  and  cheating  of  Indians  was  as  cal- 
loused and  hardened  as  that  of  Mr.  Jeffers  himself, 
was  not  above  turning  what  he  called  an  honest 
penny  by  any  means  that  came  in  his  wa,y.  There- 
fore when  the  slave-trader  explained  his  business, 
showed  the   agent's   order,  and   offered    Rogers  ten 


94  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

dollars  to  assist  him  in  recapturing  his  alleged  prop- 
erty, the  latter  readily  consented  to  do  so. 

Troup  Jeffers  was  almost  certain  that  one  or 
more  of  the  young  women  whom  he  had  noticed 
in  the  Indian  camp  would  visit  the  store  at  some 
time  during  the  day,  and  so  he  waited  patiently  the 
advent  of  a  victim. 

At  length,  late  in  the  afternoon,  when  most  of 
the  Indians  were  attracted  to  the  scene  of  the  coun- 
cil, then  in  session,  a  squaw  was  seen  to  approach 
the  store.  She  was  one  of  those  whom  Mr.  Jeffers 
had  selected  as  suitable  for  the  slave  market,  and 
the  instant  he  observed  her  he  exclaimed  to  the 
storekeeper : 

"  Here  comes  the  very  gal  I'm  after  —  old  Miss 
Cooke's  Jess.  I'll  just  step  into  the  back  room, 
and  if  you  can  persuade  her  to  come  in  there  to 
look  at  something  or  other,  we'll  have  her  as  slick 
as  a  whistle." 

"  All  right,"  responded  Rogers,  who  a  minute 
later  was  waiting  on  his  customer  with  infinitely 
more  politeness  than  he  usually  vouchsafed  to  an 
Indian. 

She  desired  to  purchase  some  coffee  and  sugar 
with  which  to  surprise  and  please  her  husband  when 
he  returned  to  his  lodge  after  the  council  should 
be  ended,  and  the  storekeeper  easily  persuaded  her 
to  enter  the  other  room,  where  he  said  his  best 
goods  were  kept. 


CHEN-O-WAH   STOLEN  BY   SLAVE-CATCHERS       95 

As  the  unsuspecting  woman  bent  over  a  sugar 
barrel,  she  was  seized  from  behind,  and  her  head 
was  enveloped  in  a  shawl,  by  which  her  cries- were 
completely  stifled. 

A  few  minutes  later,  bound  and  helpless,  she 
was  lifted  into  a  light  wagon  and  driven  rapidly 
away. 

Half  an  hour  afterwards,  a  boy  who  worked  for 
the  storekeeper  remarked  to  his  employer  : 

"I  should  think  you  would  be  afraid  of  Powell." 

"What  for?"  asked  Rogers. 

"Why,  for  letting  that  man  carry  off  his  wife," 
was  the  reply. 

Thus  did  the  storekeeper  receive  his  first  inti- 
mation that  the  alleged  runaway  slave  girl  was 
Chen-o-wah,  the  adored  wife  of  Osceola. 


CHAPTER   XIII 

"WILEY   THOMPSON,   WHERE  IS   MY  WIFE?" 

While  the  wife  of  Osceola  was  thus  being  kid- 
napped and  consigned  to  slavery,  he,  ignorant  of 
the  blow  in  store  for  him,  was  participating  in  a 
far  different  scene.  Just  outside  the  gateway  of 
the  fort,  in  an  open  space  of  level  sward,  the  great 
council  upon  which  so  much  depended  was  assem- 
bled. At  one  side  of  a  long  table  sat  General 
Clinch,  commanding  the  army  in  Florida,  with  the 
officers  of  his  staff  standing  behind  him.  Beside 
him  sat  General  Wiley  Thompson,  the  agent,  red- 
faced  and  pompous,  Lieutenant  Harris,  the  United 
States  disbursing  agent,  who  was  to  conduct  the 
Indians  to  their  western  homes,  and  several  com- 
missioners. All  the  officers  were  in  full  uniform, 
and  presented  a  brave  appearance.  Behind  them 
were  two  companies  of  infantry,  resting  at  ease 
on  their  loaded  muskets,  but  ready  to  spring  into 
action  at  a  moment's  notice.  Just  inside  the  gate- 
way of  the  fort  the  guns  of  its  light  battery  were 
charged  to  the  muzzle  with  grape  and  canister, 
ready  for  instant  service.  This  was  one  side  of 
the  picture. 

96 


"WILEY  THOMPSON,   WHERE  IS   MY  WIFE?"        97 

On  the  opposite  side  of  the  table  from  the  whites 
sat  or  stood  a  group  of  Indian  chiefs,  sullen,  deter- 
mined, and  watchful.  Too  many  times  already  had 
the  white  man  cheated  them.  They  would  take  care 
that  he  should  not  do  so  again.  They  had  learned 
by  bitter  experience  how  lightly  he  regarded  such 
treaties  as  conflicted  with  his  interests.  They  knew 
the  value  of  his  false  promises  and  fair  words. 

A  little  in  front  of  the  others  sat  Micanopy,  head 
chief  of  the  tribe,  and  close  behind  him,  so  that  they 
could  whisper  in  his  ear,  stood  Coacoochee  and  Os- 
ceola. Grouped  about  them  were  Otee  the  Jumper, 
Tiger  Tail,  Allapatta  Tustenugge,  the  Fighting  Alli- 
gator, Arpeika,  or  Sam  Jones,  Black  Dirt,  Ya  ha  Had  jo, 
the  Mad  Wolf,  Coa  Hadjo,  Halatoochee,  Abram,  the 
negro  chief,  Passac  Micco,  and  many  others.  Behind 
them  stood  one  hundred  warriors,  tall,  clean-built 
fellows,  lithe  and  sinewy,  their  bare  legs  as  hard  and 
smooth  as  those  of  bronze  statues.  Concealed  in  a 
hammock,  but  a  short  distance  away,  was  another 
body  of  warriors  held  in  reserve  by  Coacoochee,  who 
had  thought  it  best  not  to  display  the  full  strength 
of  his  force  at  once. 

The  old  men,  women,  and  children  had  been  left 
in  camp  not  far  from  the  trader's  store.  Here  every- 
thing was  prepared  for  instant  flight  in  case  the 
council  should  terminate  in  an  outbreak. 

The  proceedings  were  opened  by  General  Thomp- 
son, who  stated  that  he  had  thus  called  the  Indians 


98  THROUGH  SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

together  that  they  might  decide  upon  a  day  when 
they  would  fulfil  their  promise  contained  in  the 
treaty  of  Payne's  Landing,  and  set  forth  for  their 
new  home  in  the  west.  He  had  prepared  a  paper 
setting  forth  the  conditions  of  removal,  which  he 
now  wished  all  the  chiefs  to  sign. 

Then  Otee  the  Jumper,  who  was  one  of  the  most 
fluent  speakers  of  the  tribe,  arose  and  calmly  but 
firmly  stated  that  his  people  did  not  consider  them- 
selves as  bound  by  that  treaty  to  remove  from  their 
country,  and  had  decided  in  solemn  council  not  to 
do  so. 

At  this  point  the  Seminole  speaker  was  rudely 
interrupted  by  General  Thompson,  who,  flushed  and 
furious,  sprang  to  his  feet  and  demanded  by  what 
right  the  Indians  interpreted  the  treaty  differently 
from  the  whites  by  whom  it  was  drawn  up.  He 
accused  them  of  treachery  and  double-dealing,  and 
ended  by  declaring  that  it  made  no  difference 
whether  they  were  willing  to  remove  or  not,  for 
they  would  be  made  to  go,  alive  or  dead,  and  he 
for  one  did  not  care  which. 

This  speech  drew  forth  angry  replies  from  the 
chiefs,  and  to  these  the  agent  retorted  with  such 
bitterness  that  General  Clinch  was  finally  obliged 
to  interpose  his  authority  to  calm  both  sides.  He 
told  the  Indians  how  useless  it  would  be  for  them 
to  struggle  against  the  power  of  the  United  States, 
and  how  greatly  he  would  prefer  that  they  should 


"WILEY  THOMPSON,  WHERE  IS  MY  WIEE  ?  "        99 

remove  peaceably  rather  than  oblige  him  to  remove 
them  by  force. 

At  this  the  Indians  smiled  grimly  and  exchanged 
contemptuous  glances.  They  knew  that  there  were 
only  seven  hundred  soldiers  in  all  Florida,  and  the 
idea  of  compelling  them  to  do  anything  they  did  not 
choose,  with  a  little  army  like  that,  was  too  absurd. 
It  almost  made  them  laugh,  but  their  native  dignity 
prevented  such  a  breach  of  decorum. 

General  Clinch  talked  long  and  earnestly  and  was 
listened  to  with  respect  and  close  attention.  The 
agent  regarded  his  arguments  as  so  unanswerable 
that  at  their  conclusion  he  called  on  the  chiefs  by 
name  to  step  forward  and  sign  the  paper  he  had 
prepared. 

"  Micanopy,  you  are  head  chief.  Come  up  and 
sign  first  at  the  head  of  the  list." 

"No,  Micanopy  will  never  sign." 

"  Then  Coacoochee  may  sign  first.  He  comes,  I 
believe,  as  representative  of  the  wise  and  brave  King 
Philip." 

"  No,  Coacoochee  will  not  sign  either  for  his  father 
or  himself." 

"  Jumper,  then  ;  and  when  he  signs,  I  will  make 
him  head  chief." 

"No." 

"Alligator?" 

"No." 

"Sam  Jones?" 


100  THROUGH  SWAMP  AND  GLADE 

"No." 

"  Abram  ?  " 

"By  golly.     No." 

At  these  repeated  refusals  to  comply  with  his 
request,  and  the  evident  contempt  with  which 
his  offers  of  promotion  were  regarded,  the  fat 
agent  became  so  angry  as  to  entirely  lose  his  self- 
control. 

"If  you  will  not  sign,"  he  shouted,  "you  are  no 
longer  fit  to  hold  your  positions.  I  therefore  declare 
that  Micanopy,  Coacoochee,  Jumper,  Alligator,  Sam 
Jones,  and  Abram,  shall  cease  from  this  minute  to 
be  chiefs  of  the  Seminole  nation,  and  their  names  shall 
be  struck  from  the  roll  of  chiefs." 

At  this  an  angry  murmur  ran  through  the  ranks 
of  the  Indians,  who  considered  that  a  grievous  insult 
had  thus  been  offered  them.  Those  chiefs  who  had 
been  sitting  sprang  to  their  feet  and  fell  back  a  few 
paces.  The  warriors  behind  them  moved  up  closer, 
and  Coacoochee,  slipping  unnoticed  through  the 
throng,  hurried  back  to  the  hammock  to  direct  the 
flight  of  the  women  and  children,  and  bring  up  his 
reserve  force  of  warriors. 

In  the  meantime  an  Indian  who  had  come  from  the 
camp  was  talking  with  Ioav,  hurried  words  to  Osce- 
ola, who  listened  to  him  like  one  in  a  dream  or  who 
does  not  fully  comprehend  what  he  hears. 

Suddenly  he  sprang  forward,  his  face  livid  with 
passion,  and  crying  in  a  loud  voice,  "  I  will  sign  ! 


"WILEY  THOMPSON,  WHEKE  ) S1  MY  V'il'E?"      101 

I,  Osceola  the  Baton  Rouge,  will  sign  this  paper  of 
the  white  man." 

Then  stepping  up  to  the  table,  while  both  whites 
and  Indians  watched  him  with  breathless  interest, 
the  fierce  warrior  plucked  the  scalping-knife  from 
his  girdle  and  drove  it  with  furious  energy  through 
the  outspread  paper.  It  sunk  deep  into  the  wood  of 
the  table,  and  stood  quivering  as  though  with  rage. 

"  There  is  my  signature,  General  Wiley  Thomp- 
son," he  cried  in  a  voice  that  trembled  with  the  in- 
tensity of  his  emotion.  "  There  is  the  signature  of 
Osceola,  and  I  would  that  it  were  inscribed  on  your 
cowardly  heart.  Where  is  my  wife  ?  What  have 
you  done  with  her?  Give  her  back  to  me,  I  say, 
and  as  safe  as  when  I  left  her  in  yonder  grove.  If 
you  do  not,  I  swear  by  the  white  man's  God,  and 
by  the  Great  Spirit  of  my  people,  that  not  only 
your  own  vile  life,  but  that  of  every  white  man 
who  comes  within  reach  of  Osceola's  vengeance, 
shall  be  forfeited.  As  you  have  shown  no  mercy, 
so  shall  you  receive  none.  The  word  shall  be  un- 
known to  the  Seminole  tongue.  You  taunt  me  with 
being  a  half-blood.  I  am  one  ;  but  I  am  yet  a  man, 
and  not  a  slave.  With  my  white  blood  I  defy  you, 
and  with  my  Indian  blood  I  despise  you.  Wiley 
Thompson,  where  is  my  wife  ?  " 


CHAPTER   XIV 

OSCEOLA   SIGNS   THE   TREATY 

The  group  of  white  men  on  the  opposite  side  of 
the  table  had  left  their  seats  before  Osceola  stepped 
toward  it.  General  Clinch  exchanged  a  few  words 
with  the  agent  and  gave  an  order  to  the  officer  in 
command  of  the  troops.  These  were  moved  forward 
a  few  paces,  though,  blinded  by  the  intensity  of  his 
feelings,  the  half-breed  failed  to  notice  their  change 
of  position. 

Now,  in  obedience  to  a  signal  from  the  agent,  they 
sprang  forward  with  fixed  bayonets,  and  in  an  in- 
stant Osceola,  cut  off  from  his  friends,  was  hedged 
in  by  a  wall  of  glittering  steel.  At  the  same  mo- 
ment a  sharp  rattle  of  drums  was  heard  within  the 
fort,  and  the  light  battery,  dashing  out  from  the 
gateway  in  a  cloud  of  dust,  was  wheeled  into  po- 
sition with  its  murderous  muzzles  trained  full  on 
the  startled  Indians. 

With  one  forward  movement  the  pitiless  storm 
of  death  would  have  swept  through  their  crowded 
ranks.  They  knew  this  and  stepped  backward 
instead. 

Within  two  minutes  after  the  council  was  so  sum- 
102 


OSCEOLA   SIGNS  THE  TREATY  103 

marily  dissolved,  not  an  Indian  was  to  be  seen. 
Within  five  minutes  Osceola,  heavily  ironed,  was 
thrust  into  the  strongest  cell  of  the  guard-house 
and  the  door  locked  behind  him.  By  this  time, 
also,  the  troops  had  retired,  and  General  Thomp- 
son was  inquiring  in  every  direction  what  the 
crazy  half-breed  meant  by  demanding  a  wife  from 
him.  He  knew  nothing  about  the  fellow's  wife. 
Did  not  even  know  he  had  a  wife,  and  was  inclined 
to  think  that  Osceola  was  drunk,  or  else  had 
trumped  up  this  demand  for  the  purpose  of  excit- 
ing the  Indians  to  resistance. 

Finally,  however,  through  Rogers,  the  trader,  he 
discovered  the  real  facts  of  the  case.  Then  he  real- 
ized the  awkward  position  in  which  his  careless  giv- 
ing of  an  order  for  the  recovery  of  a  runaway  slave 
had  placed  not  only  himself,  but  all  the  whites  in 
that  part  of  the  country. 

He  visited  the  prisoner  in  his  cell,  and  tried  to 
quiet  him  by  explaining  that  it  was  all  a  mistake, 
and  by  assuring  him  that  every  effort  should  be 
made  to  recover  Chen-o-wah  and  bring  her  back  ; 
but  all  to  no  purpose. 

Osceola  replied  that  his  wife  alone  had  been  seized 
of  all  those  who  visited  the  trader's  store.  More- 
over, she  had  been  seized  upon  a  written  order  from 
himself,  for  the  paper  had  been  read  aloud  in  the 
presence  of  several  persons.  No,  there  was  no  mis- 
take, and  as  for  the  agent's  promise  to  restore  Chen- 


104  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

o-wah  to  him,  he  would  believe  it  when  he  saw  her, 
but  not  before. 

For  six  clays  the  forest  warrior  who  had  been 
struck  this  deadly  blow  paced  hopelessly  up  and 
down  his  narrow  cell,  dragging  his  clanking  chains 
behind  him.  During  this  time  he  hardly  touched 
food  nor  would  he  speak  to  a  human  being.  No  one 
save  himself  knew  the  bitterness  of  his  heart,  or  the 
terrible  thoughts  that  seethed  in  his  mind  during 
those  six  days.  He  appeared  like  one  consumed  by 
an  inward  lire,  and  it  even  seemed  as  though  his 
haughty  spirit  was  about  to  escape  from  the  impris- 
oned body. 

At  length  he  sent  for  General  Thompson,  and  ex- 
pressed a  willingness  to  sign  the  paper  that  should 
commit  him  to  emigration.  "  My  spirit  is  broken," 
he  said;  "your  irons  have  entered  my  soul.  I  can 
hold  out  no  longer.  By  these  chains  I  am  disgraced 
in  the  eyes  of  my  people,  and  my  influence  over  them 
is  gone.  It  is  better  that  I  should  go  away  and  die 
in  a  strange  land.  Bring  me  your  paper;  I  will  sign 
it." 

But  that  was  not  sufficient.  The  paper  must  be 
signed  in  the  presence  of  other  Seminoles,  that  they 
might  be  witnesses  to  the  act,  and  spread  the  great 
news  abroad  throughout  the  nation.  Even  to  this 
humiliation  Osceola  consented,  and  a  messenger  was 
despatched  to  bring  in  the  first  band  of  Indians  he 
should  meet.     This  messenger  was  given  a  token  by 


OSCEOLA  SIGNS   THE   TREATY  105 

Osceola,  and  thus  provided,  he  had  no  difficulty  in 
persuading  Coacoochee  and  some  forty  warriors, 
thirty  of  whom  belonged  to  the  captive's  own  band, 
to  again  visit  the  fort. 

Although  they  came  to  the  fort,  Coacoochee's  cau- 
tion would  not  allow  them  to  pass  within  its  gates, 
and  so  the  ceremony  of  signing  was  of  necessity  per- 
formed outside. 

General  Clinch  and  his  staff  had  returned  to 
Tampa,  but  there  still  remained  enough  of  officers  at 
Fort  King  to  escort  the  agent  and  lend  an  imposing 
effect  to  the  ceremony. 

Osceola  was  led  to  the  place  of  signing,  under 
guard  and  with  the  irons  still  upon  his  ankles.  He 
approached  the  table  with  downcast  eyes,  apparently 
unmindful  of  the  presence  of  either  friends  or  foes. 
As  he  took  the  pen  preparatory  to  signing,  the  agent 
asked  : 

"  Powell,  do  you  acknowledge  in  the  presence  of 
these  witnesses,  that  you  are  about  to  sign  this  paper 
of  your  own  free  will,  without  fear  or  compulsion  ?  " 

The  half-breed  regarded  his  questioner  with  a  curi- 
ous expression  for  a  moment,  and  then  answered  : 

"  I  have  no  fear.  No  one  could  compel  me.  I 
sign  because  it  pleases  me  to  do  so." 

Thus  saying,  he  affixed  his  signature  to  the  hated 
paper,  with  a  steady  hand.  Immediately  afterwards 
his  irons  were  struck  off,  and  he  was  once  more  a  free 
man. 


106  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

The  agent  now  asked  Coacoochee  if  lie  would  not 
also  sign,  but  that  wily  young  Indian  refused  to  do 
so  at  that  time.  "  When  I  have  spoken  with  Ah-ha- 
se-ho-la,  and  learned  his  reasons  for  signing,  perhaps 
I  may  also  touch  the  white  man's  talking  stick,"  he 
said. 

When  Osceola  had  retired  with  his  friends  to 
their  camp,  General  Thompson  turned  to  one  of  his 
companions,  and  rubbing  his  hands  complacently, 
remarked  : 

"That  is  a  capital  stroke  of  business.  I  have 
been  all  along  regretting  the  unfortunate  affair  of 
that  fellow's  wife.  Now,  though,  I  begin  to  think 
it  was  one  of  the  best  things  that  could  have  hap- 
pened for  us.  It  has  brought  him  to  terms  as  I 
don't  believe  anything  else  would,  and  though  he 
is  not  a  chief,  his  influence  is  the  most  powerful 
in  the  tribe." 

"You  may  be  right,"  replied  Lieutenant  Smith, 
the  young  army  officer  to  whom  this  remark  was 
addressed,  "  but  it  was  an  outrageous  thing,  all  the 
same,  to  steal  the  poor  chap's  wife.  It  makes  me 
feel  ashamed  to  be  mixed  up  in  this  wretched  busi- 
ness, and  if  I  were  not  dependent  on  my  profession 
for  a  living,  and  so  forced  to  obey  the  orders  of  my 
superiors  who  have  sent  me  here,  I'd  have  nothing 
more  to  do  with  it.  The  idea  of  stealing  a  man's 
wife  and  selling  her  into  slavery  !  I  don't  wonder 
it  drove  him  so  nearly  crazy  that  he  was  willing  to 


OSCEOLA   SIGNS   THE   TREATY  107 

sign  or  do  anything  else.     Under  the  circumstances 
I  wouldn't  give  a  fig  for  his  signature." 

"Nonsense  !  "  replied  the  agent ;  "you  don't  know 
these  people  as  I  do.  He  is  only  an  Indian  in  spite 
of  his  mixture  of  white  blood,  and  they  don't  feel 
about  such  things  as  we  do.  I'll  guarantee  that  in 
less  than  a  month  he  will  have  forgotten  all  about 
this  wife  and  will  have  taken  another  or  maybe  two 
of  them,  in  her  place." 

At  this  same  time  Coacoochee  and  Osceola  were 
walking  apart  from  the  other  Indians  and  talking 
earnestly. 

"Was  there  no  way  for  my  brother  to  save  his 
life  but  by  signing  the  white  man's  paper?  "  inquired 
the  former. 

At  this  Osceola  broke  into  a  hard  and  bitter  laugh. 
"  Does  my  brother  regard  me  so  meanly  as  to  think 
that  to  save  my  life  alone,  or  to  save  a  thousand  lives 
such  as  mine,  I  would  have  signed  ?  "  he  asked.  "  No. 
It  was  not  to  save  life  that  Osceola  put  pen  to  paper, 
but  to  take  it.  It  was  that  he  might  be  revenged 
on  those  who  have  wronged  him  far  deeper  than  by 
killing  him,  that  he  did  it.  When  his  vengeance  is 
accomplished,  then  will  he  gladly  die  ;  but  he  will 
never  go  to  the  western  land." 

"Listen,"  he  continued,  noting  the  other's  look  of 
bewilderment  at  these  words:  "once  the  Indian 
fought  with  bows  and  arrows,  while  the  white  man 
fought   with   guns.       Did   he   continue   to   do   this 


108  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

when  he  found  that  his  weapons  were  no  match  for 
those  of  the  white  man  ?  No  ;  he  threw  away  his 
bows  and  arrows,  and  got  guns  in  their  place.  Once 
Osceola  was  honest,  his  tongue  was  straight,  he 
would  not  tell  a  lie.  Are  the  white  men  so?  No, 
their  tongues  are  crooked ;  they  say  one  thing  and 
mean  another ;  they  have  cheated  the  Indian  and  lied 
to  him  from  the  first  day  that  they  set  foot  on  his 
land.  They  have  laughed  at  his  honesty  and  said, 
4  The  Indian  is  a  fool  who  knows  no  better. '  Now 
Ah-ha-se-ho-la  is  fighting  them  with  their  own 
weapons.  For  them  his  tongue  is  no  longer  straight. 
It  is  as  crooked  as  their  own.  Does  my  brother  now 
understand  why  I  signed  ?  " 

This  style  of  reasoning  was  new  to  Coacoochee, 
and  he  pondered  over  it  for  a  minute  before  replying. 
"  It  is  true,"  he  thought,  "  that  the  white  man  gains 
many  advantages  over  the  Indian  by  cheating  and 
lying  to  him.  If  they  do  those  things,  why  should 
not  the  Indian  do  them  as  well?  In  the  present 
instance  how  could  Osceola  have  gained  his  liberty 
by  any  other  means  ?  Yes,  it  must  be  right  to  fight 
the  white  man  with  his  own  weapons." 

So  Coacoochee  acknowledged  that  Osceola  was 
justified  in  the  course  he  had  pursued,  and  congratu- 
lated him  on  his  escape  from  the  white  man's  prison. 
He  was  also  rejoiced  to  learn  that  his  friend  was  to 
remain  and  aid  them  in  the  coming  war  rather  than 
to  leave  them  and  go  to  the  far-off  western  land. 


OSCEOLA   SIGNS  THE   TREATY  109 

Thus  answered  Coacoochee.  At  the  same  time 
deep  down  in  his  heart  the  young  war-chief  hoped 
that  he  might  never  find  it  necessary  to  fight  any 
enemy  with  so  dangerous  a  weapon  as  a  crooked 
tongue. 

Now  the  two  young  men  laid  their  plans  for  the 
future.  They  agreed  that  as  much  time  as  possible 
should  he  gained  before  open  hostilities  were  de- 
clared, in  order  that  the  Indians  might  make  all 
possible  preparations  for  war.  With  this  end  in 
view,  Osceola  was  to  remain  near  the  fort,  and  while 
still  expressing  a  willingness  to  emigrate  whenever 
the  others  of  his  tribe  should  come  in,  was  to  pro- 
cure such  supplies  as  he  could,  especially  ammuni- 
tion, that  might  be  stored  for  the  coming  struggle. 

Coacoochee  was  to  visit  the  scattered  bands  and 
induce  them  to  provide  safe  hiding-places  for  their 
women  and  children,  that  the  warriors  might  be  free 
to  fight. 

While  confined  in  the  fort,  Osceola  had  learned 
that  the  chief  Charlo,  who  styled  himself  "  Charlo 
Emathla,"  was  disposing  of  his  cattle  preparatory  to 
emigrating,  and  now  the  young  men  agreed  that  in 
his  case  it  was  necessary  to  show  both  whites  and 
Indians  the  earnestness  of  their  purpose  by  carrying 
out  the  decisions  of  the  chiefs  and  putting  him  to 
death. 

This,  Osceola  undertook  to  do,  and  Coacoochee  was 
glad  to  be  relieved  of  the  unpleasant  duty. 


110  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

Thus  matters  being  arranged,  the  friends  separated; 
and  while  Coacoochee  with  his  ten  warriors  took 
their  departure,  Osceola  with  his  thirty  followers 
remained  near  the  fort,  to  carry  out  his  plan  for 
averting  war  as  long  as  possible,  and  to  watch  for 
the  revenue  against  those  who  had  robbed  him  of 
his  wife,  that  had  now  become  the  object  of  his 
most  intense  desire. 

Thus  matters  stood  for  several  months.  At  the 
end  of  that  time,  the  agent  becoming  suspicious  of 
the  Indians  on  account  of  their  purchasing  such 
quantities  of  powder,  peremptorily  forbade  the  fur- 
ther sale  of  ammunition  to  them.  Thereupon  Osceola 
sent  out  runners  to  carry  the  news  to  every  Semi- 
nole band  from  the  Okeefenokee  to  the  Everglades, 
and  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Gulf,  that  the  time  for 
action  had  arrived,  and  that  the  first  bloAv  of  the  war 
was  about  to  be  struck. 


CHAPTER   XV 

LOUIS  PACHECO   BIDES   HIS   TIME 

Tampa  Bay  was  filled  with  transports  waiting  to 
carry  the  Seminoles  to  New  Orleans  on  their  way  to 
the  Indian  Territory.  On  shore,  the  soldiers'  encamp- 
ment beneath  the  grand  old  live-oaks  of  Fort  Brooke 
swarmed  with  troops,  newly  arrived  from  the  north, 
and  hoping  that  the  Indians  would  at  least  make  a 
show  of  resistance.  Of  course,  no  one  wanted  a  pro- 
longed war;  but  a  brisk  campaign  with  plenty  of 
fighting,  that  would  last  through  the  winter,  would 
be  a  most  pleasing  diversion  from  the  ordinary 
monotony  of  military  life.  It  was  not  supposed,  how- 
ever, that  the  Seminoles  would  fight.  Major  Francis 
Dade  was  so  certain  of  this,  that  he  volunteered  to 
march  across  the  Indian  country  with  only  a  corporal's 
guard  at  his  back. 

Among  those  who  prayed  most  earnestly  for  a 
taste  of  fighting,  in  which  they  might  prove  the 
metal  of  which  they  were  made,  were  several  lieuten- 
ants recently  emancipated  from  West  Point  and 
ordered  to  duty  on  this  far  southern  frontier. 

A  few  days  before  Christmas,  1835,  a  jovial  party 
of  three  young  officers  was  assembled  in  the  hospi- 

111 


112  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

table  house  of  a  planter,  a  few  miles  from  Fort 
Brooke.  They  were  to  dine  there,  and  at  the  din- 
ner table  the  sole  topic  of  conversation  was  the  im- 
pending war.  The  Indians  had  been  given  until  the 
end  of  December  to  make  their  preparations  for  emi- 
gration, and  to  assemble  at  the  appointed  places  of 
rendezvous.  On  the  first  day  of  January,  1836, 
their  reservation  was  to  be  thrown  open  to  the 
throngs  of  speculators  already  on  hand,  and  with 
difficulty  restrained  from  rushing  in  and  seizing  the 
coveted  lands  without  waiting  for  the  Indians  to 
vacate  them.  . 

General  Clinch  had  decided  to  send  Major  Dade, 
not,  indeed,  with  a  corporal's  guard,  but  with  two 
companies  of  troops,  to  reinforce  the  garrison  at  Fort 
King.  From  that  post,  which  was  well  within  the 
reservation,  he  was  to  move  against  the  Indians  and 
compel  them  to  move  promptly  on  January  1,  if 
they  showed  a  disinclination  to  do  so  of  their  own 
accord. 

Several  of  the  young  officers  assembled  about  the 
planter's  dinner  table  were  to  accompany  this  expe- 
dition, and  their  anticipations  of  the  pleasures  of  the 
campaign  were  only  equalled  by  the  regrets  of  those 
who  were  to  be  left  behind. 

Some  one  suggested  that  there  might  be  some 
fighting  before  the  troops  returned,  and  that  their 
march  might  be  attended  with  a  certain  amount  of 
danger. 


LOUIS   PACHECO   BIDES   HIS  TIME  113 

"  Danger  ?  "  cried  Lieutenant  Mudge,  the  gayest 
spirit  of  the  party,  and  the  most  popular  man  at  the 
post.  "Let  us  hope  there  will  be  some  danger. 
What  would  a  soldier's  life  be  without  it  ?  A  weary 
round  of  drill.  Hurrah,  then,  for  danger !  say  I. 
Louis,  fill  the  glasses.  Now,  gentlemen,  I  give  you 
the  toast  of  CA  short  campaign  and  a  merry  one, 
with  plenty  of  hard  lighting,  plenty  of  danger,  and 
speedy  promotion  to  all  good  fellows.'  " 

The  toast  was  hailed  with  acclamation  and  drunk 
with  a  cheer  ;  while  after  it  the  calls  for  Louis  grew 
louder,  more  frequent,  and  more  peremptory  than 
ever.  It  was  "  Here,  Louis  !  "  "  Here,  you  nigger  !  " 
"  Step  lively  now  !  "  from  all  sides,  and  the  bewilder- 
ing orders  were  so  promptly  obeyed  by  the  deft- 
handed,  intelligent-appearing  young  mulatto,  who 
answered  to  the  name  of  Louis,  that  he  was  unani- 
mously declared  to  be  a  treasure.  Those  of  the  offi- 
cers who  were  to  remain  at  Fort  Brooke,  envied  the 
planter  such  a  capital  servant,  and  those  who  were  to 
accompany  the  expedition  to  Fort  King,  wished  they 
misrlit  take  him  with  them  to  wait  on  their  mess. 

"  Well,  I  don't  know  but  that  can  be  arranged," 
remarked  the  planter,  thoughtfully.  "  Major  Dade 
was  asking  me  to-day  where  he  could  obtain  a  relia- 
ble guide,  and  Louis,  who  overheard  him,  has  since 
told  me  that  he  is  intimately  acquainted  with  the 
country  between  here  and  Fort  King.  Isn't  that 
so,  boy  ?  " 


114  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

"  Yes,  sir,"  replied  the  mulatto;  "  I  was  born  and 
brought  up  in  this  country,  and  I  know  every  foot 
of  the  way  from  here  to  Fort  King  like  I  know  the 
do-yard  of  my  ole  mammy's  cabin." 

This  answer  was  delivered  so  quietly,  and  with 
such  an  apparent  air  of  indifference,  that  no  one 
looking  at  the  man  would  have  suspected  the  wild 
tumult  of  thought  seething  within  his  breast  at  that 
moment.  For  months  he  had  waited,  planned,  hoped, 
and  endured,  for  such  an  opportunity  as  this.  At  last 
it  had  come.  He  was  almost  unnerved  by  conflict- 
ing emotions, *and  to  conceal  them,  he  flew  about  the 
table  more  actively  than  ever,  anticipating  every 
want  of  his  master's  guests,  and  waiting  on  them 
with  an  assiduity  that  went  far  to  confirm  the  good 
impression  already  formed  of  him. 

Once,  Lieutenant  Mudge,  happening  to  glance  up 
at  an  instant  when  Louis  was  intently  regarding 
him,  was  startled  by  a  fleeting  expression  that 
swept  across  the  man's  face.  For  a  second  his  eyes 
glared  like  those  of  a  famished  tiger,  and  his  lips 
seemed  to  be  slightly  drawn  back  from  the  clinched 
white  teeth.  Although  the  devilish  look  vanished 
as  quickly  as  it  came,  leaving  only  the  respectful 
expression  of  a  well-trained  servant  in  its  place, 
it  gave  the  young  soldier  a  shock,  and  filled  him 
with  a  vague  uneasiness  that  he  found  hard  to  shake 
off.  He  spoke  of  it  afterwards  to  his  host,  but  the 
latter  only  laughed  and  said: 


LOUIS   PACHECO   BIDES   HIS  TIME  115 

"  Nonsense,  my  dear  boy  !  It  must  have  been  the 
champagne.  I  have  had  that  nigger  for  nearly  a 
year  now,  and  a  more  honest,  faithful,  intelligent, 
and  thoroughly  reliable  servant  I  never  owned.  If 
Dade  will  pay  a  fair  price  for  him,  I  will  let  him 
go  for  a  few  months,  and  thus  you  will  secure  a 
reliable  guide  and  a  capital  table  servant,  both  in 
one." 

In  answer  to  some  further  inquiries  concerning 
Louis,  he  said  :  "  I'd  no  idea  he  was  born  in  this 
part  of  the  country  or  knew  anything  about  it,  but 
as  he  says  he  does,  it  must  be  so,  for  £  have  never 
known  him  to  tell  a  lie.  He  knows  it  would  not 
be  safe  to  lie  to  me.  I  got  him  from  a  trader  in 
Charleston  last  spring,  and  only  brought  him  down 
here  a  couple  of  months  ago,  when  I  came  to  look 
after  this  plantation.  But  you  can  depend  on  Louis. 
He  don't  dare  deceive  me,  for  he  knows  if  he  did 
I'd  kill  him.  I  make  it  a  rule  to  have  none  but 
thoroughly  honest  servants  about  me,  and  they  all 
know  it." 

The  reader  has  doubtless  surmised  ere  this  that 
the  servant  whom  his  master  praised  so  highly  was 
no  other  than  Louis  Pacheco,  friend  of  Coacoochee, 
the  free  dweller  beside  the  Tomoka,  whom  the  slave- 
catchers  had  kidnapped  and  carried  off. 

Inheriting  the  refinement  of  his  Spanish  father, 
well  educated,  and  accomplished,  Louis  would  have 
killed  himself  rather  than  submit  to  the  degradation 


116  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

of  the  lot  imposed  upon  him,  but  for  one  thing  — 
the  same  spirit  that  actuated  Osceola  during  his 
imprisonment  restrained  Louis  from  any  act  against 
his  own  life.  He  lived  that  he  might  obtain  revenge. 
So  bitter  was  his  hatred  of  the  whole  white  race, 
that  at  times  he  could  scarcely  restrain  its  open 
expression. 

He  managed,  however,  to  control  himself  and  de- 
voted his  entire  energies  to  winning  the  confidence, 
not  only  of  the  man  who  had  bought  him,  but  of  all 
the  other  whites  with  whom  he  was  thrown  in  con- 
tact. Thus  did  he  prepare  the  more  readily  to  carry 
out  his  plans  when  the  time  came.  He  saw  his  aged 
mother  die  from  overwork  in  the  cotton-fields,  with- 
out betraying  the  added  bitterness  of  his  feelings, 
and  was  even  laughingly  chided  by  his  master  for 
not  displaying  greater  filial  affection.  He  planned 
a  negro  insurrection,  but  could  not  carry  it  out. 
Then  he  conceived  the  project  of  inducing  a  great 
number  of  negroes  to  run  away  with  him,  and  join 
his  friends  the  Seminoles,  but  this  scheme  also  came 
to  naught.  He  was  planning  to  escape  alone  and 
make  his  way  to  Florida,  where  he  hoped  to  find 
some  trace  of  the  clearly  loved  sister  from  whom 
he  had  been  so  cruelly  separated,  when  chance  fa- 
vored him,  and  his  master  brought  him  to  the  very 
place  where  he  most  desired  to  be. 

In  Tampa,  he  quickly  learned  of  the  condition 
of  affairs  between  the  Indians  and  whites,  and  he 


LOUIS  PACHECO   BIDES   HIS  TIME  117 

looked  eagerly  about  for  some  means  of  aiding  his 
friends  in  their  approaching  struggle. 

The  proposed  expedition  of  Major  Dade,  for  the 
relief  and  reinforcement  of  Fort  King,  was  kept  a 
secret  so  far  as  possible,  for  fear  lest  it  should  delay 
the  coming  in  of  numbers  of  Indians,  who  were  sup- 
posed to  be  on  their  way  to  the  several  designated* 
points  of  assembly.  It  was,  however,  freely  dis- 
cussed in  the  presence  of  Louis  Pacheco,  for  he 
was  supposed  to  be  so  well  content  with  his  present 
position,  and  to  have  so  little  knowledge  of  Indian 
affairs,  that  it  could  make  no  difference  whether  he 
knew  of  it  or  not. 

So  Louis  listened,  and  treasured  all  the  stray  bits 
of  information  thus  obtained,  and  put  them  together 
until  he  was  possessed  of  a  very  clear  idea  of  the 
existing  state  of  affairs,  and  of  what  the  whites 
intended  doing. 

Through  the  field  hands  of  the  plantation  he 
opened  communication  with  the  free  negroes  who 
dwelt  among  the  Indians.  Thus  he  soon  learned  that 
his  friend  Coacoochee  was  now  a  war-chief  and  an 
influential  leader  among  the  Seminoles. 

Now  the  hour  of  his  triumph,  the  time  of  his 
revenge,  had  surely  come.  If  he  could  only  obtain 
the  position  of  guide  to  Major  Dade's  little  army, 
what  would  be  easier  than  to  deliver  them  into  the 
hands  of  Coacoochee?  What  a  bitter  blow  that 
would     be     to     the     whites,    and     how    it     would 


118  THROUGH  SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

strengthen  the  Seminole  cause  !  How  far  it  would 
go  toward  repaying  him  for  the  death  of  his  mother, 
the  loss  of  his  beautiful  sister,  his  own  weary 
slavery,  and  the  destruction  of  their  happy  home  on 
the  Tomoka!     Yes,  it  must  be  done. 

The  day  after  that  of  the  dinner  party  his  master 
concluded  arrangements  with  Major  Dade,  by  which 
Louis  was  engaged  as  guide  to  the  expedition  and 
steward  of  the  officers'  mess.  So  the  slave  was 
ordered  to  hold  himself  in  readiness  to  start  on 
Christmas  Day. 


CHAPTER  XVI 

OSCEOLA'S   REVENGE 

In  the  meantime,  Osceola  had  carried  out  his  part 
of  the  arrangement  with  Coacoochee  in  regard  to 
the  traitor,  Charlo  Emathla.  Although  warned  of 
the  fate  in  store  for  him  in  case  he  persisted  in  dis- 
regarding the  wishes  of  his  people  and  the  com- 
mands of  the  other  chiefs,  this  Indian,  dazzled  by 
sight  of  the  white  man's  gold,  nattered  by  his  praise, 
and  assured  of  his  protection,  persisted  in  his  course. 

Osceola  waited  until  certain  that  he  had  accepted 
a  considerable  sum  of  money  from  the  agent,  and 
then  prepared  an  ambush  beside  a  trail  along  which 
the  doomed  man  must  return  to  his  camp.  It  was 
completely  successful ;  the  victim  fell  at  the  first 
fire,  and  covering  his  face  with  his  hands,  received 
the  fatal  blow  without  a  word.  Tied  up  in  his 
handkerchief  was  a  quantity  of  gold  and  silver. 
This,  Osceola  declared  was  the  price  of  red  men's 
blood,  and,  sternly  forbidding  his  followers  to  touch 
it,  he  flung  it  broadcast  in  every  direction. 

When  news  of  this  summary  punishment  of  a 
renegade  was  received  at  Fort  King,  it  created  a 
serious  feeling  of  anxiety  and  alarm  for  the  future. 

119 


120  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

This  was  shared  by  all  except  the  agent,  who  de- 
clared, in  his  pompous  manner,  that  he  knew  the 
Indians  too  well  to  fear  them.  They  might  murder 
one  of  their  own  kind  here  and  there,  but  they 
would  never  muster  up  courage  to  attack  a  white 
man.  Oh  no !  the  rascals  were  too  well  aware  of 
the  consequences  of  such  an  act. 

Another  report  that  reached  the  fort  about  the 
same  time*  increased  the  uneasiness  of  its  inmates. 
It  was  of  six  Indians  who  had  been  brutally  and 
wantonly  set  upon  by  a  party  of  white  land-grab- 
bers. The  Indians  were  in  camp,  quietly  engaged 
in  cooking  their  supper,  when  the  whites  rode  up, 
made  them  prisoners,  took  away  their  rifles,  and 
examined  their  packs,  appropriating  to  their  own 
use  whatever  they  fancied,  and  destroying  the  rest. 
Then  they  tied  the  Indians  to  trees  and  began 
whipping  them. 

While  they  were  thus  engaged,  four  other  Indians 
appeared  on  the  scene  and  opened  an  ineffective  fire 
upon  the  aggressors.  The  whites  answered  with  a 
volley  from  their  rifles  that  killed  one  Indian  and 
wounded  another.  Both  parties  then  withdrew 
from  the  field,  the  whites  carrying  with  them  the 
rifles  and  baggage  that  they  had  stolen. 

This  outrage  was  termed  an  Indian  encroachment, 
and  a  company  of  militia  was  at  once  ordered  out  to 
chastise  the  Indians  and  protect  citizens. 

By  such  acts  as  these  the  land-grabbers  hoped  to 


OSCEOLA'S   REVENGE  121 

hasten  the  movements  of  the  Seminoles  and  compel 
them  to  evacuate  the  coveted  territory  the  more 
rapidly. 

It  was  with  gloomy  forebodings  that  the  little 
garrison  of  Fort  King,  who,  from  long  experience, 
had  gained  some  knowledge  of  the  Indian  character, 
heard  of  these  and  similar  brutalities.  They  knew 
that  such  things  would  drive  the  savage  warriors  to 
acts  of  retaliation,  and  precipitate  the  crisis  that  now 
appeared  so  imminent.  Their  fears  were  heightened 
by  the  fact  that  early  in  December  the  Indians  ceased 
visiting  the  fort,  and  it  was  reported  that  all  their 
villages  in  that  part  of  the  country  were  abandoned. 

So  the  month  dragged  slowly  away.  Christmas 
Day  was  passed  quietly  and  without  the  usual  festiv- 
ities of  the  season.  The  anxiety  of  the  garrison 
would  have  been  still  further  increased  had  they 
known  that  on  that  very  day  Osceola  and  a  band  of 
picked  warriors  took  up  a  position  in  a  dense  ham- 
mock from  which  they  could  watch  every  movement 
in  and  about  the  fort. 

Osceola's  object  was  the  killing  of  the  agent, 
whom  he  believed  to  be  directly  implicated  in  the 
abduction  of  Chen-o-wah.  So  determined  was  he  to 
accomplish  this,  that  he  had  decided  if  no  better 
opportunity  offered  to  venture  an  attack  against  the 
fort  itself,  desperate  as  he  knew  this  measure  to  be. 

Coacoochee  at  this  time  was  gathering  the  warriors 
of  the    tribe    and  preparing  them  for  battle  in  the 


122  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

depths  of  the  great  Wahoo  Swamp,  the  hidden  mys- 
teries of  which  no  white  man  had  ever  explored.  It 
lay  a  day's  journey  from  Fort  King,  and  to  it  were 
hastening  many  chiefs  with  their  followers. 

On  the  morning  of  Christmas  Day  a  negro  runner, 
well-nigh  exhausted  with  the  speed  at  which  he  had 
travelled,  reached  the  swamp  encampment  and  asked 
to  be  led  at  once  to  Coacoochee,  the  war-chief.  The 
moment  he  had  delivered  his  message  the  young 
warrior,  trembling  with  excitement,  sought  the  other 
chiefs  and  made  known  to  them  the  wonderful  news 
he  had  just  received. 

"  This  very  day,"  he  said,  "  the  white  soldiers  have 
left  Tampa  to  march  through  the  Seminole  country. 
At  the  end  of  four  days  they  hope  to  reach  Fort 
King.  They  are  guided  by  one  whom  I  thought 
dead,  but  who  sends  word  that  he  is  alive.  He  is 
my  friend  and  may  be  trusted.  He  will  bring  them 
by  this  road.  Shall  we  allow  them  to  pass  by  us 
and  join  their  friends?  Or  shall  we  meet  them  in 
battle  and  prove  to  them  that  our  words  were  not 
empty  boastings,  when  we  said  the  Seminole  would 
fight  for  his  land  ?  The  white  man  laughs  at  us  and 
whips  us  as  though  we  were  dogs.  He  takes  from 
us  that  which  pleases  him,  and  gives  us  nothing 
but  blows  in  return.  The  Indian  and  the  wolf 
together  are  marks  for  his  rifle.  Let  us  show  him 
that  we  are  men  and  warriors.  Let  us  strike  a  blow 
that  he  will  never  forget.     It  may  be  that  when  he 


OSCEOLA'S   REVENGE  123 

finds  the  Seminole  ready  to  fight,  he  will  let  us  alone 
to  dwell  peaceably  in  our  own  land.  Are  the  words 
of  Coacoochee  good  in  the  ears  of  the  tribe?  Are 
his  warriors  glad  when  they  hear  them  ?  " 

A  long  discussion  followed ;  but  when  it  was 
ended,  the  counsel  of  the  young  war-chief  had  been 
accepted. 

Then  through  the  dim  forest  aisles  echoed  the 
hollow  booming  of  the  kasi-lalki,  or  great  war-drum. 
Fleet  runners  were  despatched  in  all  directions, 
some  to  hasten  the  incoming  bands,  and  some  to 
watch  the  movements  of  the  advancing  troops. 
One  was  sent  to  bear  the  great  news  to  Osceola, 
and  bid  him  hasten  if  he  would  take  part  in  the 
first  battle  of  the  war. 

When  this  messenger  reached  those  secreted  in 
the  hammock  near  Fort  King,  and  delivered  his 
tidings,  Osceola  bade  him  return  and  tell  Coacoo- 
chee that  if  at  the  end  of  one  more  day  his  purpose 
had  not  been  accomplished,  he  would  abandon  it 
for  the  present  and  hasten  to  join  him. 

On  the  following  afternoon  two  figures  were  seen 
by  the  eager  watchers  to  leave  the  fort  and  stroll 
toward  the  trader's  store  a  mile  away.  Osceola's 
keen  eye  was  the  first  to  recognize  them,  and  he 
knew  that  the  hour  of  his  vengeance  had  arrived. 

The  two  who  strolled  thus  carelessly,  apparently 
unconscious  of  danger,  were  the  agent,  General 
Wiley  Thompson,  and  his  friend,  Lieutenant  Con- 


124  THROUGH  SWAMP   AND   GLADE 

stantine  Smith.  They  were  smoking  their  after- 
dinner  cigars  and  talking  earnestly.  Their  subject 
was  the  rights  and  wrongs  of  the  Indian.  As  they 
reached  the  crest  of  a  slight  eminence,  these  words, 
uttered  in  Wiley  Thompson's  most  emphatic  tone, 
reached  the  ears  of  Osceola,  who,  with  flashing  eyes 
and  compressed  lips,  peered  at  the  speaker  from  a 
thicket  not  ten  yards  away. 

"  I  tell  you,  sir,  the  Indian  is  no  better  than  any 
other  savage  beast,  and  deserves  no  better  treatment 
at  our  hands." 

They  were  the  last  words  he  ever  spoke ;  for  at 
that  instant  there  burst  from  the  thicket  a  blind- 
ing flash  and  the  crashing  report  of  thirty  rifles, 
discharged  simultaneously.  Both  men  were  in- 
stantly killed,  and  with  yells  of  triumph  the  Indians 
rushed  from  their  hiding-place,  each  intent  upon 
procuring  a  scalp  or  some  other  trophy  of  the  first 
event  of  the  contest  so  long  anticipated  and  now  so 
sadly  begun. 

But  Osceola's  vengeance  did  not  rest  here. 
There  were  others  within  reach  who  had  aided  in 
the  stealing  of  his  wife,  and  he  bade  his  warriors 
follow  him  to  the  store  of  the  trader.  A  few  min- 
utes later  Rogers  and  his  two  clerks  had  been  added 
to  the  list  of  victims.  After  helping  themselves  to 
all  the  goods  they  could  carry,  the  Indians  set  fire 
to  the  store  and  started  toward  the  Wahoo  Swamp, 
where  they  hoped  to   join    Coacoochee  in   time   to 


OSCEOLA'S   REVENGE  125 

participate  in  the  battle  of  which  he  had  sent  them 
notice. 

The  little  garrison  of  fifty  men  at  Fort  King 
heard  the  firing  and  the  war-cries,  and  saw  the 
smoke  from  the  blazing  store  rise  above  the  ham- 
mock. They  knew  only  too  well  what  these  things 
meant ;  but  supposing  the  Indians  to  be  in  force 
and  about  to  attack  the  post,  they  dared  not  ven- 
ture beyond  its  limits.  They  waited  anxiously  for 
the  coming  of  the  promised  reinforcements  from 
Tampa,  but  weary  days  passed,  and  no  word  came 
from  them. 


CHAPTER   XVII 

ON  THE  VERGE  OF  THE  WAHOO  SWAMP 

On  the  afternoon  of  Christmas  Day,  Major  Dade's 
little  command  of  two  companies  of  troops,  numbering 
one  hundred  and  ten  souls,  marched  gaily  out  from 
Fort  Brooke  on  Tampa  Bay  and  started  for  Fort 
King,  one  hundred  miles  away,  near  where  the  city 
of  Ocala  now  stands.  Both  officers  and  men  were 
in  the  highest  spirits,  and  regarded  their  present 
expedition  as  a  pleasant  relief  from  the  monotony 
of  garrison  life.  It  was  not  at  all  likely  they  would 
be  called  upon  to  do  any  fighting ;  for,  although  the 
Indians  had  been  acting  suspiciously  for  some  time, 
nobody  believed  they  would  dare  come  into  open 
conflict  with  the  whites.  And  what  if  they  did  ! 
Was  not  one  white  man  equal  to  five  Indians  at 
any  time  ?  To  be  sure,  the  soldiers  were  unfamiliar 
with  the  country,  but  then  they  had  a  guide  who 
knew  every  foot  of  it. 

Louis  Pacheco  was  one  of  the  most  popular  mem- 
bers of  the  expedition.  He  was  not  only  a  good 
guide,  but  he  was  polite,  obliging,  and  attentive 
to  the  wants  of  the  officers.      He  certainly  was   a 

126 


ON  THE   VERGE   OE   THE   WAHOO   SWAMP        127 

treasure,  and  they  were  fortunate  to  have  secured 
his  services.  So  the  lieutenants  said  to  one  another. 
For  two  days  the  command  moved  steadily  for- 
ward, its  one  piece  of  light  artillery  and  its  one 
baggage  wagon  bumping  heavily  over  the  log-like 
roots  of  the  saw-palmetto,  and  threatening  to  break 
down  with  each  mile,  but  never  doing  so.  They 
experienced  no  difficulty  in  crossing  the  dark,  forest- 
shaded  Withlacoochee  ;  for  Louis  led  them  to  the 
best  ford  on  the  whole  river,  and  the  officers  agreed 
that  they  were  making  much  better  progress  than 
could  have  been  expected. 

On  the  third  night  they  had  skirted  the  great 
Wahoo  Swamp  and  were  camped  near  its  northern 
end.  As  this  place  was  known  to  be  a  favorite 
Indian  resort,  the  sentinels  of  that  night  were  cau- 
tioned to  be  unusually  vigilant.  The  corporal  of 
the  guard  was  instructed  to  inspect  every  post  at 
least  once  an  hour,  and  oftener  than  that  towards 
morning,  when  an  attack  was  supposed  to  be  most 
imminent.  As  the  officer  of  the  day  was  equally  on 
the  alert,  and  visited  the  sentries  many  times  during 
the  night,  the  camp  was  deemed  securely  guarded. 

All  that  day  Louis,  the  guide,  had  been  unusually 
silent.  More  than  once  he  was  observed  to  direct 
long,  penetrating  glances  toward  the  dense  forest 
growth  of  the  great  swamp,  as  though  it  held  some 
peculiar  fascination  for  him.  It  seemed  as  though 
he   were    conscious  of   the  keen  eyes,  that,  peering 


128  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

from  its  dark  depths,  watched  so  exultingly  the 
march  of  the  troops.  It  seemed  as  though  he  must 
see  the  lithe  figures  that,  gliding  silently  from  thicket 
to  thicket,  or  from  one  mossy  covert  to  another, 
so  easily  kept  pace  with  the  slow-moving   column. 

In  waiting  on  the  officers'  mess  that  evening,  Louis 
was  so  absent-minded  that  he  made  innumerable 
blunders,  and  drew  forth  more  than  one  angry  re- 
buke from  those  whom  he  served. 

At  last  one  of  these  remarked  that,  if  the  nigger 
was  not  more  attentive  to  his  duties,  he  would  be 
apt  to  make  an  acquaintance  with  the  whipping-post 
before  long. 

Then  there  flashed  into  the  man's  face  for  an 
instant  the  same  look  that  Lieutenant  Mudge  had 
detected  once  before,  and  from  that  moment  his 
demeanor  changed.  He  was  no  longer  absent- 
minded.  He  was  no  longer  undecided.  The  time 
of  his  irresolution  was  passed. 

That  night  he  slept  apart  from  any  other  occupant 
of  the  camp,  beyond  the  line  of  tents  and  on  the 
side  nearest  the  swamp  hammock.  For  hours  after 
rolling  himself  in  his  blanket  the  man  lay  open-eyed 
and  thinking.  This  was  either  the  last  night  of 
his  life  or  the  last  of  his  slavery,  he  knew  not  which. 
On  the  morrow  he  would  be  either  dead  or  free. 
On  the  morrow,  if  he  lived,  he  would  learn  the  fate 
of  the  dear  sister  from  whom  he  had  heard  no  word 
since  that  terrible  night  on  the  Tomoka.     On   the 


ON  THE   VERGE   OF  THE   WAHOO   SWAMP        129 

morrow  would  be  struck  a  blow  for  liberty  that 
should  be  felt  throughout  the  length  and  breadth 
of  the  land,  and  on  the  morrow  his  score  against  the 
white  man  would  be  wiped  out.  The  account 
would  be  settled. 

Louis  had  expected  the  attack  to  be  made  that 
day,  and  from  each  hammock  or  clump  of  timber 
they  passed,  had  dreaded,  and  hoped  to  hear,  the 
shrill  war-whoop  mingled  with  the  crack  of  rifles. 
Now,  he  thought  it  might  be  made  during  the  night 
or  just  at  dawn.  At  all  events,  it  must  be  made,  if 
made  at  all,  before  the  following  sunset,  for  at  that 
hour  the  command  expected  to  reach  Fort  King. 

As  he  lay  thinking  of  these  things,  the  querulous 
cry  of  a  hawk  suddenly  broke  the  stillness  of  the 
night.  It  came  from  the  swamp.  Again  it  sounded, 
and  this  time  with  a  slight  difference  of  tone.  The 
weary  sentinels  wondered  for  a  moment  at  the 
strangeness  of  such  a  cry  at  that  hour,  and  then 
dismissed  it  from  their  minds. 

Not  so  with  Louis  Pacheco.  The  second  cry  had 
confirmed  the  suspicion  aroused  by  the  first.  It 
was  long  since  he  had  heard  the  signal  of  Coacoo- 
chee ;  but  he  recognized  and  answered  it.  The 
gentle,  quavering  cry  of  a  little  screech  owl,  though 
coming  from  the  camp,  alarmed  no  one.  It  went 
straight  to  the  ears  of  Coacoochee,  however,  as  he 
lay  hidden  in  the  saw-palmettoes,  only  a  few  rods 
beyond    the    tents,    and    he   was    content    to   wait 


130  THROUGH   SWAMP   AND    GLADE 

patiently,  knowing  that  his  friend  had  heard  and 
understood  his  signal. 

All  the  old  forest  instincts,  long  suppressed  and 
almost  forgotten,  were  instantly  aroused  in  Louis. 
No  Indian  could  have  crept  more  cautiously  or 
silently  toward  the  line  of  sentries  than  he,  and 
none  could  have  slipped  past  them  more  deftly. 
A  few  minutes  later  the  owl's  note  was  sounded  at 
the  edge  of  the  hammock  and  immediately  answered 
from  a  spot  but  a  short  distance  away.  Then  there 
came  a  rustle  beside  the  motionless  figure  and  a 
whispered  : 

"  Louis,  my  brother  ?  " 

"  Coacoochee,  is  it  you  ?  " 

For  a  few  minutes  they  whispered  only  of  their 
own  affairs,  and  Louis  learned  of  Nita's  escape  from 
the  slave-catchers,  of  her  flight  to  Philip  Emathla's 
village,  and  of  her  betrothal  to  Coacoochee,  all  in  a 
breath.  He  longed  to  fly  to  her  at  that  very 
moment ;  but  a  weary  journey  lay  between  them, 
and  before  he  could  undertake  it  a  stern  and  terrible 
duty  remained  to  be  performed.  He  must  return 
to  the  camp  of  soldiers  and  remain  with  them  to 
the  bitter  end.  Otherwise  the  plan  for  their  de- 
struction might  yet  miscarry. 

Coacoochee  told  him  the  reason  why  the  attack 
had  not  already  been  made  was  that  the  Indians 
had  awaited  the  arrival  of  Osceola  and  Micanopy. 
The  latter  had   come   in  that   evening,  and  it  was 


ON  THE   VERGE   OF   THE   WAHOO   SWAMP        131 

decided  to  wait  no  longer,  but  to  begin  the  fight  at 
daylight. 

Louis  opposed  this  plan,  saying  that  Major  Dade 
expected  an  attack  to  be  made  at  daylight,  if  made 
at  all,  and  would  be  particularly  on  guard  at  that 
time.  He  also  seemed  to  feel  that  if  he  were  at- 
tacked, it  would  be  from  that  swamp.  Therefore, 
the  mulatto  advised  that  the  attack  be  made  at  a 
point  some  miles  beyond  the  swamp,  where  nothing 
of  the  kind  would  be  anticipated. 

Coacoochee  acknowledged  the  soundness  of  this 
advice,  and  agreeing  to  follow  it,  the  two  separated, 
one  to  lead  his  warriors  to  the  appointed  place  and 
prepare  them  for  battle,  the  other  to  work  his  way 
with  infinite  caution  back  into  the  camp  of  sleeping 
soldiers.  Fortunately  for  him  the  night  was  in- 
tensely dark,  and  though  at  one  time  a  sentry 
passed  so  close  that  he  could  have  touched  him, 
by  lying  flat  and  almost  holding  his  breath  he 
escaped  discovery. 

He  had  barely  reached  his  sleeping-place  and 
rolled  himself  again  in  his  blanket,  when  an  officer 
came  along,  and  stumbling  over  his  prostrate  form, 
exclaimed : 

"  Hello,  Louis  !     Is  that  you  ?  " 

Upon  receiving  an  affirmative  answer,  he  con- 
tinued :  "  Well,  I  must  confess  that  it  is  a  great 
relief  to  find  you.  I  missed  you,  and  have  been 
searching  for  you.     I    really   began   to   think   you 


132  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

had  deserted  and  left  us  to  find  our  own  way 
out  of  this  wilderness.     Where  have  you  been  ?  " 

"  The  major's  horse  got  loose,  sir,  and  came  very 
near  stepping  on  me,"  replied  Louis.  "  And  I  just 
took  him  over  to  the  cart,  where  I  tied  him  up  again. 
Sorry  to  have  caused  you  any  anxiety,  sir." 

"  Oh,  that's  all  right,"  answered  the  officer.  "  I'm 
glad  your  excuse  is  such  a  good  one,  for  these  are 
times  when  we  can't  be  too  careful,  you  know." 

With  this  he  walked  away  to  visit  the  line  of 
sentries,  while  Louis,  bathed  in  a  profuse  perspira- 
tion in  spite  of  the  chill  of  the  night,  shuddered  as 
he  realized  the  narrowness  of  his  escape. 


CHAPTER  XVIII 
coacoochee's  first  battle 

The  next  morning's  sun  ushered  in  one  of  the 
fairest  of  Floridian  clays  ;  the  air  was  clear,  cool,  and 
bracing.  It  was  filled  with  the  aromatic  odors  of 
pines  and  vibrant  with  the  songs  of  birds.  All  was 
life  and  activity  in  the  camp  of  soldiers,  who  were 
preparing  for  an  early  start  on  the  long  day's  march 
that  they  hoped  would  bring  them  to  their  destina- 
tion that  same  evening. 

"  We  are  past  all  the  bad  places  now,  boys,"  cried 
Major  Dade,  cheerily,  as  he  rode  to  the  head  of  the 
column.  "  This  swamp  is  our  last  danger  point, 
and  beyond  this  there  is  nothing  to  apprehend. 
The  cowardly  redskins  have  let  a  good  chance  slip 
by,  and  it  will  be  long  before  they  will  be  given 
another." 

Then  the  bugles  sounded  merrily,  and  with  light 
hearts  the  command  resumed  its  march.  But  the 
Indians  had  moved  earlier  than  they. 

At  daylight  that  morning  one  hundred  and  eighty 
warriors  glided  like  shadows  out  from  the  dark  re- 
cesses of  the  swamp,  and,  following  the  lead  of  Coa- 
coochee,  advanced  some  four  miles  beyond  it.    Where 

133 


134  THROUGH  SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

they  finally  halted  in  the  open  pine  woods  there  was 
a  thick  growth  of  scrnb  or  saw-palmetto. 

A  pond  bounded  the  road  on  the  east  at  this  point, 
and  the  entire  body  of  Indians  took  positions  on  the 
opposite  or  western  side.  Each  warrior  selected  his 
own  tree  or  clump  of  palmetto,  and  sank  out  of  sight 
behind  it.  Three  minutes  after  their  arrival  noth- 
ing was  to  be  seen  nor  heard  save  the  solemn  pines 
and  the  sighing  of  the  wind  through  their  branches. 

There  was  so  little  to  arouse  suspicion  that  a  small 
herd  of  deer  fleeing  before  the  advancing  troops  and 
coming  down  the  wind  dashed  in  among  the  Indians 
before  discovering  their  presence.  Even  then  the 
hidden  warriors  made  no  sign,  and  the  terrified 
animals  pursued  their  flight  unmolested. 

Besides  Coacoochee,  the  chiefs  in  command  of  the 
Seminole  force  were  Micanopy,  Jumper,  and  Alligator. 
It  had  been  determined  that  Micanopy,  as  head  chief, 
should  fire  the  first  shot  of  the  contest,  and  as  the 
old  man  was  timid  and  undecided,  Coacoochee  stood 
beside  him  to  strengthen  his  courage. 

At  length  about  nine  o'clock  the  troops  appeared 
in  view.  They  marched  easily  in  open  order,  the 
bright  sunlight  glinted  bravely  on  their  polished 
weapons,  and  many  were  the  shouts  of  light-hearted 
merriment  that  rose  from  their  ranks.  Louis,  the 
guide,  was  not  to  be  seen,  as  on  some  trifling  pre- 
text he  had  dropped  behind  the  column. 

The  advanced  guard  reached  the  pond  and  passed 


COACOOCHEE'S  FIRST  BATTLE  135 

it  unmolested.  It  was  not  until  the  main  body  was 
directly  abreast  the  Indian  centre  that  the  wild  war- 
whoop  of  Otee  the  Jumper  rang  through  the  forest. 
The  next  instant  Micanopy's  trembling  fingers, 
guided  by  Coacoochee's  unflinching  hand,  pulled  the 
trigger  of  the  first  rifle.  With  its  flash  a  great  sheet 
of  flame  leaped  from  the  roadside,  and  half  of  Major 
Dade's  command  lay  dead,  without  having  known 
from  where  or  by  whom  the  fatal  blow  was  struck. 

The  survivors,  confused  and  demoralized  by  the 
suddenness  and  unexpectedness  of  this  attack  from 
an  unseen  foe,  still  made  a  brave  effort  to  rally  and 
return  the  pitiless  fire  that  seemed  to  leap  from 
every  tree  of  the  forest.  Their  one  field-piece,  a  six- 
pounder,  was  brought  up  and  discharged  several 
times,  but  its  gunners  presented  an  attractive  target 
to  the  hidden  riflemen,  and  it  was  speedily  silenced. 

A  small  company  of  soldiers  managed  to  fell  a  few 
trees  in  the  form  of  a  triangular  barricade.  Behind 
this  they  took  shelter,  and  from  it  maintained  a  stout 
fire  for  some  hours  ;  but  early  in  the  afternoon  their 
last  gun  was  silenced,  and  only  the  shadows  of  death 
brooded  over  the  terrible  scene. 

During  the  fight  the  Indians  had  kept  up  an 
incessant  yelling,  but  now  they  appeared  stunned  at 
the  completeness  of  their  success  and  contemplated 
their  victory  in  silence. 

With  Louis  Pacheco,  who  had  joined  the  Indians 
immediately  after  the  first  fire,  Coacoochee  walked 


136  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

slowly  and  thoughtfully  over  the  battle-field.  He 
sternly  forbade  his  warriors  to  mutilate  or  rob  the 
dead,  and  speedity  withdrew  them  to  their  encamp- 
ment in  the  great  swamp,  from  which  they  had 
emerged  with  such  mingled  hopes  and  apprehensions 
that  morning. 

Soon  after  their  departure  a  band  of  fifty  negroes, 
who  had  been  summoned  from  a  distance  to  take 
part  in  the  battle,  rode  up  to  the  scene  of  slaughter. 
Disappointed  at  having  arrived  too  late  to  participate 
in  it,  they  made  an  eager  search  among  the  heaps  of 
slain,  for  any  who  should  still  show  signs  of  life.  If 
such  were  discovered,  they  were  immediately  put  to 
death,  while  even  the  dead  bodies  were  mutilated 
and  stripped.  After  thus  gratifying  their  blood- 
thirsty instincts,  these,  too,  laden  with  scalps  and 
plunder  of  every  description,  followed  their  Indian 
allies  to  the  swamp,  and  on  the  blood-soaked  field  an 
awful  stillness  succeeded  the  wild  tumult  of  battle. 

As  darkness  shrouded  the  pitiful  scene,  two  human 
figures,  the  only  living  survivors  of  "  Dade's  Mas- 
sacre," slowly  disengaged  themselves  from  the  dead 
bodies  by  which  they  were  surrounded.  They  were 
wounded,  and  faint  from  the  loss  of  blood,  but  they 
dragged  themselves  painfully  away  and  were  lost  in 
the  night  shadows  of  the  forest.  Five  days  later 
they  reached  Fort  Brooke  and  there  gave  the  first 
notice  of  the  terrible  blow  by  which  the  despised 
Seminole  had  defied  the  power  of  the  United  States. 


COACOOCHEE'S  FIRST  BATTLE  137 

The  Indian  loss  in  this  battle  was  three  killed  and 
five  wounded. 

That  same  night,  Osceola  and  his  warriors,  laden 
with  trophies  and  plunder,  reached  the  encampment 
in  the  Wahoo  Swamp.  They  had  much  to  tell  as 
well  as  much  to  hear,  and  the  whole  night  was  de- 
voted to  feasting,  dancing,  drinking,  and  every 
species  of  savage  rejoicing  over  their  successes. 

Coacoochee,  though  filled  with  a  sense  of  exulta- 
tion, took  no  part  in  these  excesses.  He  preferred 
talking  with  Louis  and  several  of  the  graver  chiefs 
regarding  the  future  conduct  of  the  war,  and  the 
chances  for  its  speedy  termination.  All  were  agreed 
that  there  would  be  no  further  fighting  for  some 
time,  and  as  both  the  young  men  were  most  anxious 
to  visit  Philip  Emathla's  village,  they  determined  to 
do  so  at  once. 

At  daylight,  therefore,  they  left  the  swamp  and 
started  on  their  journey.  By  noon  they  were  thread- 
ing an  open  forest  many  miles  from  their  point  of 
departure.  They  were  proceeding  in  silence,  with 
Louis  following  Coacoochee,  and  stepping  exactly  in 
his  tracks.  This  precaution  was  taken  as  a  matter 
of  habit,  rather  than  from  any  idea  that  there  was 
an  enemy  within  many  miles  of  them. 

Suddenly  Coacoochee  stopped,  held  up  his  hand  in 
warning,  and  listened  intently,  with  his  head  inclined 
slightly  forward.  "  Does  my  brother  hear  any- 
thing ?  "  he  asked. 


138  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

No;  Louis  heard  nothing  save  the  sound  of  wind 
among  the  tree-tops.  His  ears  were  not  so  sharp  as 
those  of  Coacoochee,  nor,  for  the  matter  of  that,  was 
any  other  pair  in  the  whole  Seminole  nation.  So  mar- 
vellously keen  was  the  young  war-chief's  sense  of  hear- 
ing, that  his  companions  deemed  it  unsafe  to  utter 
a  word  not  intended  for  his  ears  within  sight  of  where 
he  stood.  They  believed  him  to  be  able  to  hear 
ordinary  conversation  as  far  as  he  could  see.  Al- 
though this  was  undoubtedly  an  exaggeration,  his 
powers  in  this  respect  were  certainly  remarkable,  and 
excited  astonishment  in  all  who  were  acquainted  with 
them. 

Now,  after  standing  and  listening  for  a  moment 
with  bent  head,  he  threw  himself  to  the  ground,  and 
placing  one  ear  in  direct  contact  with  the  earth,  cov- 
ered the  other  with  his  hand.  He  also  closed  his 
eyes,  the  better  to  concentrate  all  his  powers  into 
the  one  effort  of  hearing. 

He  lay  thus  for  several  minutes,  and  then  slowly 
regained  his  feet.  There  was  now  an  anxious  ex- 
pression on  his  face.  Louis  could  no  longer  restrain 
his  curiosity.  "  What  is  it,  Coacoochee  ?  What  do 
you  think  you  hear  ?  " 

The  asking  of  this  question  would  have  at  once 
betrayed  Louis  to  be  of  other  than  Indian  blood  ; 
for  no  Seminole  would  have  exhibited  the  slightest 
curiosity  until  the  other  was  ready  to  disclose  his 
secret  of  his  own  accord. 


COACOOCHEE'S   FIRST  BATTLE  139 

So  Coacoochee  smiled  slightly  at  his  comrade's 
impatience  as  he  answered  : 

"  I  hear  more  white  men  coming  from  that  way  "  — 
here  he  pointed  to  the  north;  "  they  are  many.  Some 
of  them  are  soldiers,  and  some  are  not.  They  travel 
slowly,  for  they  have  much  baggage.  They  fear  no 
danger  and  are  careless.  They  have  no  cannon,  but 
they  have  many  horses.  They  know  nothing  of 
yesterday's  battle.  Let  us  go  and  look  at  them, 
where  my  brother  will  see  that  Coacoochee  has  heard 
truly." 

Louis  gazed  at  his  companion,  in  amazement. 
"How  is  it  possible  for  you  to  hear  these  things 
when  I  can  hear  nothing  at  all?"  he  asked.  "I 
am  not  deaf.  My  ears  are  as  good  as  those  of  most 
men,  but  they  detect  no  sound.  You  must  be  mak- 
ing game  of  me.     Is  it  not  so  ?  " 

For  answer  Coacoochee  persuaded  him  to  lay  his 
ear  to  the  ground  and  listen  as  he  had  done  a 
moment  before. 

When  Louis  rose,  he  said :  "  I  do  indeed  hear 
something  in  the  ground,  but  it  is  only  a  confused 
murmur.  I  cannot  tell  what  it  is  or  where  it  comes 
from." 

Coacoochee  smiled,  and  said  :  "  My  brother's  ears 
are  good.  He  has  heard  more  than  would  most 
men ;  but  Coacoochee's  are  better.  No  sound  is 
withheld  from  them.  He  can  hear  the  grass  grow 
and   the   flowers    unfold.       The   murmur   that   my 


140  THROUGH  SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

brother  hears  is  the  sound  of  an  army  marching. 
They  are  white  men  because  they  tread  so  heavily. 
Some  of  them  are  soldiers  because  they  blow  bugles 
and  because  they  keep  step  in  their  marching.  More 
of  them  are  not,  for  they  walk  as  they  please,  and 
many  of  them  ride  on  horses.  They  have  much 
baggage,  for  I  hear  the  sound  of  many  wagons. 
They  fear  no  danger  and  are  careless,  for  they  run 
races  with  their  horses  and  fire  pistols.  They  have 
not  learned  of  yesterday's  battle,  or  they  would  be 
sorrowful  and  quiet.  Now  they  laugh  and  are 
merry." 

Half  an  hour  later,  as  Coacoochee  and  Louis 
occupied  positions  among  the  spreading,  moss- 
enveloped  limbs  of  a  large  tree,  the  eyesight  of  the 
latter  confirmed  all  that  his  comrade's  marvellous 
hearing  had  already  told  them. 

From  their  perch  the}7-  could  overlook  a  broad 
savanna,  across  which  slowly  moved  a  small  army  of 
white  men.  They  counted  nearly  one  thousand,  two 
hundred  of  whom  were  regular  troops  ;  the  rest  were 
ununiformed  militia,  many  of  them  mounted  and 
exhibiting  but  little  discipline.  These  rode  hither 
and  thither,  as  they  pleased,  ran  races,  fired 
their  pistols  at  stray  birds,  and  shouted  loudly. 
They  were  a  cruel,  rough  set,  and  the  heart  of 
Coacoochee  grew  heavy  with  the  thought  of  such 
a  powerful  and  merciless  invasion  of  the  Seminole 
country. 


CHAPTER    XIX 

RALPH   BOYD   AND   THE   SLAVE-CATCHER 

The  army  so  unexpectedly  discovered  by  Coacoo- 
chee  was  under  the  immediate  command  of  General 
Clinch,  and  was  largely  composed  of  Florida  volun- 
teers. Most  of  these  were  land-hunters,  slave-hunters, 
or  other  reckless  adventurers,  who  had  taken  advan- 
tage of  this  opportunity  for  gaining  a  safe  entrance 
into  the  Indian  country  and  examining  its  best  lands 
before  it  should  be  thrown  open  to  general  occupa- 
tion. The  majority  of  them  had  no  idea  that  the 
Indians  would  dare  resist  this  occupation  by  the 
whites,  or  that  they  would  be  called  upon  to  do 
any  fighting.  At  the  same  time  they  expressed  a 
cheerful  willingness  to  kill  any  number  of  red- 
skins, and  loudly  declared  their  belief  in  the  policy 
of  extermination. 

This  motley  throng  of  freebooters,  together  with 
four  companies  of  regular  troops, having  beencollected 
at  Fort  Drane,  some  twenty-five  miles  from  Fort 
King,  General  Clinch  decided  to  march  them  into 
and  through  the  Indian  country  for  the  purpose 
of  hastening  the  movements  of  the  Seminoles,  and 
show  them  how  powerful   a   force   he   could  bring 

141 


142  THROUGH  SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

against  them.  Even  he  had  no  idea  that  any  armed 
resistance  would  be  offered  to  his  progress. 

While  Coacoochee  and  Louis  watched  in  breath- 
less silence  the  passing  of  this  army  of  invaders, 
whose  openly  declared  object  was  to  rob  them  of 
their  homes,  they  were  startled  by  the  sound  of 
voices  immediately  beneath  their  tree.  Looking 
down,  they  saw  two  men  who  had  straggled  from 
the  main  body  and  sought  relief  from  the  noontide 
heat  of  the  sun,  in  the  tempting  shade. 

At  first  our  friends  did  not  recognize  the  new- 
comers ;  but  all  at  once  a  familiar  tone  came  to 
the  ears  of  Louis  Pacheco;  then  he  knew  that  the 
man  whom  he  hated  most  on  earth,  the  man  who 
had  sold  him  and  his  mother  into  slavery,  the 
dealer,  Troup  Jeffers,  had  once  more  crossed  his 
path. 

The  two  men  had  not  ridden  up  to  the  tree  in  com- 
pany, but  had  approached  it  from  different  divisions 
of  the  passing  column,  though  evidently  animated 
by  a  common  impulse.  It  was  quickly  apparent 
that  they  did  not  even  know  each  other  ;  for  Mr. 
Troup  Jeffers,  who  reached  the  tree  first,  greeted 
the  other  with: 

"  Good-day,  stranger.  Light  down  and  enjoy  the 
shade.  Hit's  powerful  refreshing  after  the  heat  out 
yonder. " 

As  the  other  dismounted  from  his  horse,  and,  still 
retaining  a  hold  on  the  bridle,  flung  himself  at  full 


RALPH   BOYD  AND   THE   SLAVE-CATCHER        143 

length  on  the  scanty  grass  at  the  foot  of  the  tree, 
Jeffers  continued : 

"This  appears  to  be  a  fine  bit  of  country." 

"Yes." 

"  But  they  tell  me  it  ain't  a  circumstance  to  the 
Injun  lands  on  the  far  side  of  the  Withlacoochee." 

"No?" 

"No.  Them  is  said  to  be  the  best  lands  in 
Floridy.  I  reckin  you're  land-hunting.  Ain't  ye, 
now  ?  " 

"No." 

"Must  be  niggers,  then?" 

"  No  sir.  I  am  after  neither  land  nor  negroes ;  I 
have  come  merely  to  see  the  country." 

"Wal,  that  seems  kinder  curious,"  remarked  Jef- 
fers,  reflectively.  "Strange  that  a  man  like  you 
should  take  all  this  trouble  and  risk  his  life  — not 
that  I  suppose  there's  a  mite  of  danger  —  just  to  look 
at  a  country  that  he  don't  kalkilate  to  make  nothing 
out  of." 

"Yet  some  people  have  the  poor  taste  to  enjoy 
travel  for  travel's  sake,"  replied  the  other.  "But  I 
suppose  you  have  come  on  business?" 

"  You  bet  I  have,"  answered  Mr.  Jeffers.  "  I've 
come  after  niggers,  and  I  don't  care  who  knows  it. 
Hit's  a  lawful  business,  and  as  good  as  another,  if  I 
do  say  it.  You  see,  thar's  lots  of  'em  among  the 
Injuns,  and  they're  all  described  and  claimed.  Now 
I've  bought  a  lot  of  these  claims  cheap,  and  the  gin- 


144  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

eral  lias  promised  that  jest  as  soon  as  the  Injuns  is 
corralled  for  emigration,  all  the  claimed  niggers 
shall  be  sorted  out,  and  restored  to  their  lawful 
owners.  Owing  to  my  claims,  I'm  the  biggest  law- 
ful owner  there  is.  So  I  thought  I'd  jest  come 
along  with  the  first  crowd,  and  be  on  hand  early 
to  see  that  I  wasn't  cheated." 

"  A  most  wise  precaution,"  remarked  the  stranger, 
sarcastically. 

"Yes,"  continued  Jeffers,  unmindful  of  his  com- 
panion's tone  ;  "  you  see  there  is  niggers  and  niggers. 
While  some  of  them  is  Avorth  their  weight  in  silver 
as  property,  I  wouldn't  have  some  of  the  others  as 
a  gift.  There's  Injun  niggers,  for  instance  —  half- 
bloods,  you  know  ;  they're  so  wild  that  you  have  to 
kill  'em  to  tame  'em.  Why,  I  lost  more'n  a  hundred 
dollars  in  cash,  besides  what  I  reckoned  to  make,  on 
a  half-blood  that  I  got  up  to  Fort  King  a  few  months 
ago.  She  was  wild  as  a  hawk,  and  fretted,  and 
wouldn't  eat  nothing,  and  finally  died  on  my  hands 
afore  I  got  a  chance  to  sell  her." 

"  Certainly  a  most  inconsiderate  thing  to  do," 
remarked  the  stranger. 

"  Wasn't  it,  now  ?  The  only  kind  I  want  to  deal 
with  is  the  full  bloods  or  them  as  is  mixed  with 
white.  The  best  haul  I  ever  made  from  the  Injuns 
was  about  a  year  ago  over  on  the  east  coast.  He 
was  wild  and  ugly  as  they  make  'em  when  I  first 
got  him,  but  I  soon  tamed  him  down  and  sold  him 


RALPH  BOYD  AND  THE  SLAVE-CATCHER    145 

for  one  thousand  dollars.  I've  heard  that  he  hain't 
never  showed  a  mite  of  spirit  since  I  broke  him  in, 
and  he  makes  one  of  the  best  all-round  servants  you 
ever  see.  Louis  is  his  name,  and  I'd  like  to  get  hold 
of  a  dozen  more  just  like  him.  What !  you  ain't 
going  to  start  along  so  soon,  be  ye  ?  " 

From  the  moment  that  Louis  recognized  this  man 
and  realized  that  his  cruellest  enemy  was  at  last  com- 
pletely within  his  poAver,  it  had  been  difficult  to  refrain 
from  sending  a  rifle  bullet  through  the  brute's  cow- 
ardly heart.  It  is  doubtful  if  he  could  have  withheld 
his  hand  had  it  not  been  for  a  warning  look  from 
Coacoochee  and  a  gentle  pressure  of  his  hand.  The 
young  Indian  himself  was  visibly  affected  as  he  lis- 
tened to  the  cold-blooded  tone  with  which  the  ruffian 
told  of  the  death  of  Chen-o-wah,  the  beautiful  wife 
of  Osceola,  and  his  hand  twitched  nervously  as  he 
fingered  the  handle  of  his  scalping-knife  ;  but  he 
was  able  to  restrain  his  own  inclinations,  even  as 
he  had  restrained  those  of  his  companion.  He  knew 
that  he  had  a  duty  to  perform  vastly  more  important 
than  the  punishment  of  the  slave-catcher,  and  that 
for  its  sake  even  this  enemy  must  be  allowed  to 
escape  for  the  present. 

In  reply  to  Mr.  Jeffers'  exclamation  of  surprise 
at  his  sudden  departure  from  the  cool  shade  in  which 
they  rested,  the  stranger  answered  : 

"  Yes,  Mr.  Slave-catcher,  I  am  going ;  for  I  have 
no  desire  to  cultivate  the  further  acquaintance  of  a 


146  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

scoundrel.  You  are  therefore  warned  to  keep  your 
distance  from  me  so  long  as  we  both  accompany 
this  expedition." 

With  this,  the  speaker  sprang  into  his  saddle,  and 
as  his  horse  started,  he  took  off  his  hat  with  a  pro- 
found bow  of  mock  courtesy,  saying  :  "  I  am  very 
sorry  to  have  met  you,  sir,  and  I  hope  I  may  never 
have  the  misfortune  to  do  so  again." 

As  the  young  man  dashed  away,  the  slave-trader 
gazed  after  him  in  open-mouthed  amazement.  Then 
he  muttered,  loud  enough  for  Coacoochee  to  hear : 
"  Wal,  if  that  don't  beat  all !  You're  a  nice,  re- 
spectable, chummy  sort  of  a  chap,  ain't  you,  now  ? 
Jest  a  leetle  too  nice  to  live,  and  I  shouldn't  be  sur- 
prised if  you  was  to  get  hurt  by  some  one  besides 
Injuns,  if  ever  we  have  the  luck  to  get  into  a 
scrimmage  with  the  red  cusses." 

These  remarks  were  particularly  interesting  to 
Coacoochee  ;  for,  as  the  stranger  removed  his  hat  on 
riding  away,  the  mystery  of  his  voice,,  which  had 
haunted  the  young  chief  with  a  familiar  sound,  was 
explained.  The  face,  as  revealed  by  the  lifting  of 
the  drooping  sombrero,  was  that  of  his  acquaintance 
and  preserver,  Ralph  Boyd  the  Englishman. 

It  is  more  than  likely  that  Coacoochee  would 
have  seized  the  present  opportunity  for  rendering 
Mr.  Troup  Jeffers  forever  powerless  to  injure  any 
man,  white,  red,  or  black,  but  for  an  interruption 
that   came   just  as  he  was   contemplating  a  sudden 


RALPH  BOYD  AND  THE  SLAVE-CATCHER    147 

descent  from  the  tree.  It  appeared  in  the  form  of 
a  lieutenant  of  regulars,  who  commanded  the  rear 
guard  of  the  little  army,  and  whose  duty  it  was  to 
drive  in  all  stragglers. 

So  Mr.  Troup  Jeffers  rode  away,  utterly  uncon- 
scious of  the  imminent  danger  he  had  just  escaped. 
He  was,  however,  full  of  an  ugly  hate  against  the 
man  who  a  few  minutes  before  had  treated  him 
with  such  scorn,  and  was  determined  to  discover  his 
identity  at  the  first  opportunity. 

As  the  rear  guard  of  the  army  disappeared  from 
the  view  of  the  two  watchers,  they  slipped  to  the 
ground  from  their  hiding-place,  more  than  glad  of 
an  opportunity  to  stretch  their  cramped  limbs. 
Coacoochee  was  the  first  to  speak,  and  he  said : 

"  They  go  to  the  Withlacoochee,  and  will  seek  to 
cross  at  Haney's  ferry.  They  must  be  delayed  un- 
til our  warriors  can  be  brought  to  meet  them.  We 
are  two.  One  must  return  to  the  Wahoo  Swamp,  tell 
Osceola  of  this  thing,  and  bid  him  hasten  with  all 
his  fighting  men  to  the  ford  that  is  by  the  Itto  micco 
[magnolia  tree].  This  shall  be  your  errand,  Louis 
my  brother,  and  I  pray  you  make  what  speed  you 
may,  for  our  time  is  short.  I  will  hasten  to  reach 
the  ferry  before  the  soldiers,  and  in  some  way  pre- 
vent their  using  the  boat.  Then  must  they  go  to 
the  ford,  for  there  is  no  other  place  to  cross." 


CHAPTER   XX 

AN   ALLIGATOR   AND   HIS   MYSTERIOUS   ASSAILANT 

Late  that  same  evening  the  watchers  of  Osceola's 
camp  in  the  great  swamp  were  startled  by  the  sudden 
appearance  of  a  human  form  almost  within  their  lines. 
He  was  instantly  surrounded  and  led  to  the  camp-fire 
in  front  of  the  chieftain's  lodge,  that  his  character 
might  be  determined.  The  surprise  of  the  Indians 
upon  discovering  him  to  be  Louis  Pacheco,  whom 
they  supposed  to  be  a  long  day's  journey  from  that 
place,  was  forgotten  in  that  caused  by  his  tidings. 

It  seemed  incredible  that,  while  they  had  just  de- 
stroyed one  army  of  white  men,  another  should 
already  be  on  the  confines  of  their  country  and  about 
to  invade  it.  But  Louis  had  seen  and  counted  them 
Coacoochee's  plan  was  a  wise  one,  and  they  woulu 
follow  it.  So  the  bustle  of  preparation  was  im- 
mediately begun.  The  fight  of  the  day  before  had 
nearly  exhausted  their  ammunition.  Bullets  must 
be  moulded,  and  powder-horns  refilled  from  a  keg 
brought  from  a  distant,  carefully  hidden  magazine, 
a  supply  of  provisions  must  be  prepared,  for  on  the 
war-trail  no  fires  could  be  lighted  and  no  game 
could   be    hunted. 

148 


AN  ALLIGATOR   AND   HIS  ASSAILANT  149 

When  all  was  ready,  Osceola  caused  his  men  to 
take  a  few  hours'  sleep ;  but  with  the  first  flush 
of  daylight  they  were  on  the  march,  swiftly  but 
silently  threading  the  dim  and  oftentimes  submerged 
pathways  of  the  swamp.  There  were  two  hundred 
and  fifty  in  all,  of  whom  the  greater  number  were 
warriors  under  Osceola,  and  the  balance  were  negroes 
led  by  Alligator. 

On  the  following  morning  they  reached  the  ap- 
pointed place,  and  concealed  themselves  in  the  forest 
growth  lining  the  bank  on  the  south  side  of  the  ford. 
As  this  was  the  only  point  along  that  part  of  the 
river  at  which  it  was  possible  to  cross  without  boats, 
they  were  satisfied  that  the  attempt  to  enter  the 
Indian  country  would  be  made  here,  and  that  here 
the  expected  battle  must  take  place. 

Still,  the  troops  should  have  arrived  by  this  time, 
and  as  yet  there  was  no  sign  of  them.  Neither  had 
Coacoochee  appeared,  though  this  was  where  he  had 
promised  to  meet  them.  Osceola  had  just  decided 
to  send  a  scouting  party  to  the  ferry  to  make  sure 
that  Coacoochee  had  completed  his  self-imposed  task, 
when  a  remarkable  incident  arrested  his  attention 
and  caused  him  to  withhold  the  order. 

A  green  bush  was  floating  slowly  down  the  river 
toward  the  ford,  and  several  of  the  Indians  were 
commenting  on  a  peculiarity  of  its  motion.  Instead 
of  floating  straight  down  with  the  current  of  the 
stream,    it    was    unmistakably    moving    diagonally 


150  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

across  the  river  toward  them.  When  first  noticed 
it  had  been  in  the  middle  of  the  channel,  bnt  now 
it  was  decidedly  nearer  their  side. 

The  Withlacoochee  abounded  in  alligators  that 
grew  to  immense  size,  and  just  at  this  time  one 
of  the  largest  of  these  seemed  strangely  attracted 
toward  the  floating  bush.  His  black  snout,  and  the 
protruding  eyes,  set  back  so  far  from  it  as  to  give 
proof  of  his  great  length,  were  all  that  he  showed 
above  the  surface.  These,  however,  were  observed 
to  be  moving  cautiously  nearer  and  nearer  to  the 
bush,  until  finally  they  almost  touched  it. 

All  at  once  the  monster  sprang  convulsively  for- 
ward, throwing  half  his  length  from  the  water.  For 
a  moment  his  huge  tail  lashed  the  waves  into  a  foam 
that  appeared  tinged  with  red.  At  the  same  time, 
a  hideous  bellowing  roar  of  mingled  rage  and  pain 
woke  the  forest  echoes.  Then,  with  a  sullen  plunge, 
the  brute  sank  and  was  seen  no  more. 

The  strangest  thing  of  this  whole  remarkable  per- 
formance was  not  the  disappearance  of  the  great 
reptile,  but  the  sudden  appearance  close  beside  it, 
at  the  very  height  of  the  flurry,  of  a  round  black 
object  that  looked  extremely  like  a  human  head. 

It  was  only  seen  for  a  second;  then  the  sharp 
report  of  a  rifle  rang  out  from  across  the  river, 
and  the  object  instantly  disappeared.  With  this,  a 
white  man,  tall,  gaunt,  and  clad  in  the  uniform  of 
a  United  States  dragoon,  stepped    from   the   thick 


AN  ALLIGATOR   AND   HIS  ASSAILANT  151 

growth,  and  scanned  intently  the  surface  of  the 
water  as  he  carefully  reloaded  his  rifle.  He  stood 
thus  for  several  minutes,  and  then,  apparently  sat- 
isfied that  his  shot  had  been  effective,  he  turned 
and  vanished  among  the  trees. 

It  would  have  been  an  easy  matter  for  the  con- 
cealed warriors  to  kill  him  while  he  stood  in  plain 
view,  and  several  guns  were  raised  for  the  purpose, 
but  Osceola  forbade  the  firing  of  a  shot.  The  ap- 
pearance of  that  one  soldier  satisfied  him  that  the 
others  would  soon  arrive,  and  he  did  not  wish  to 
give  them  the  slightest  intimation  of  his  presence 
until  they  should  begin  crossing  the  river. 

Suddenly  he  and  those  with  him  were  startled  by 
the  cry  of  a  hawk  twice  repeated  in  their  immedi- 
ate vicinity.  They  recognized  it  as  the  signal  of 
Coacoochee  ;  but  where  was  he  ?  As  they  gazed  in- 
quiringly about  them,  there  was  a  rustling  among 
the  flags  and  lily -pads  growing  at  the  river's  edge. 
Then,  so  quickly  that  he  was  exposed  to  view  but 
a  single  instant,  Coacoochee,  naked  except  for  a 
thong  of  buckskin  about  his  waist,  sprang  from  the 
water  to  the  shelter  of  the  bushes  on  the  bank  and 
stood  among  them. 

The  young  war-chief  had  taken  a  long  circuit 
around  General  Clinch's  army,  and  reached  the 
ferry  toward  which  they  were  evidently  marching, 
well  in  advance  of  them,  the  evening  before.  He 
already  knew  that   the   ferryman,   alarmed   by  the 


152  THROUGH  SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

impending  Indian  troubles,  had  abandoned  his  post 
and  removed  with  his  family  to  a  place  of  safety. 

What  he  did  not  know,  however,  was  that  the 
great  scow  used  as  a  ferryboat  lay  high  and  dry  on 
the  bank,  where  a  recent  fall  in  the  waters  of  the 
river  had  left  it.  He  had  expected  to  find  it  afloat 
and  to  either  set  it  adrift,  or  sink  it  in  the  middle 
of  the  stream. 

Now  he  was  at  a  loss  what  to  do.  He  could  not 
move  the  clumsy  craft  from  its  muddy  resting-place. 
His  time  was  limited,  and  he  had  no  tools,  not  even 
a  hatchet,  Avith  which  to  destroy  it.  There  was  but 
one  thing  left,  and  that  was  fire.  As  he  looked  at 
the  massive,  water-soaked  timbers  of  the  scow,  Coa- 
coochee  realized  that  to  destroy  it  by  fire  would  be 
a  tedious  undertaking.  However,  he  set  resolutely 
to  work,  and  within  an  hour  flames  were  leaping 
merrily  about  the  stranded  boat.  He  had  torn  all 
the  dry  woodwork  that  would  yield  to  his  efforts 
from  the  ferryman's  log  cabin  which  stood  at  some 
distance  back  from  the  river.  He  had  gathered  a 
quantity  of  lightwood  from  dead  pine  trees,  and  had 
built  three  great  fires,  one  at  each  end  of  the  scow 
and  one  in  the  middle. 

When  all  this  was  accomplished  to  his  satisfaction, 
the  youth  became  conscious  that  he  was  faint  and 
weak  from  hunger,  as  he  had  eaten  nothing  that  day. 
Visiting  the  ferryman's  deserted  cabin,  he  finally  dis- 
covered half  a  barrel   of   hard   bread   and   a   small 


AN   ALLIGATOR   AND   HIS  ASSAILANT  153 

quantity  of  uncooked  provisions  secreted  in  a  dark 
corner  of  the  little  loft  that  had  served  the  family 
as  a  storeroom. 

As  he  was  selecting  a  few  articles  of  food  to  carry 
away  and  eat  at  his  leisure  in  some  snug  hiding-place 
from  which  he  might  also  watch  the  operations  of 
the  expected  troops,  the  young  chief  was  alarmed 
by  the  sound  of  voices. 

The  next  moment  several  soldiers  entered  the 
cabin,  calling  loudly  upon  its  supposed  occupants, 
of  whose  recent  departure  they  were  evidently  un- 
aware. Receiving  no  reply  to  their  shouts,  they 
ransacked  the  two  lower  rooms.  One  even  climbed 
the  rude  ladder  leading  to  the  little  loft  and  peered 
curiously  about  him.  Crouched  in  its  darkest  corner 
and  hardly  breathing,  Coacoochee  escaped  observa- 
tion, and  the  trooper  descended  to  report  that  no 
one  was  up  there.  "  It's  clear  enough  that  the  folks 
have  lit  out,"  he  added. 

"  There  must  be  somebody  around  to  start  that 
smoke  down  by  the  river,"  said  another  voice. 

"  Well,  I  reckon  we'd  best  go  and  see  what's  burn- 
ing as  well  as  who's  there,"  was  the  reply. 

With  this  they  left  the  house,  and  Coacoochee 
heard  some  one  order  two  of  them  to  stay  and  look 
after  the  horses ;  while  the  others  went  to  ascertain 
the  cause  of  the  fire. 

He  determined  to  make  a  bold  dash  for  liberty, 
and  risk  the  shots  that  the  two  men  would  certainly 


154  THROUGH  SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

fire  at  him  ;  but  when  he  was  half-way  down  the 
ladder,  the  sound  of  fresh  voices  caused  him  hur- 
riedly to  regain  his  hiding-place.  Now  there  was 
much  talking,  and  he  knew  that  the  main  body  of 
troops  had  arrived. 

As  it  was  nearly  sunset,  the  soldiers  went  into 
camp  between  the  house  and  the  river,  and  a  number 
of  them  took  possession  of  the  house  itself.  Fortu- 
nately the  hot,  stuffy  little  loft  did  not  offer  suffi- 
cient attractions  to  tempt  any  of  them  to  occupy  it, 
though  several  peered  into  its  gloom  from  the  lad- 
der. As  they  did  not  discern  the  crouching  form 
in  the  corner,  the  young  Indian  began  to  fancy  that 
he  might  remain  there  in  safety  so  long  as  he  chose. 

He  was  rejoiced  to  learn,  from  fragments  of  con- 
versation that  his  fires  had  rendered  the  scow  use- 
less. He  also  learned  to  his  dismay  that  an  old 
canoe  had  been  discovered,  and  was  even  then  being 
patched  up  so  that  it  would  float.  In  it  the  troops 
would  cross  the  river,  a  few  at  a  time,  on  the  follow- 
ing morning. 

Coacoochee  passed  a  weary  night,  not  daring  to 
sleep,  lest  he  should  make  some  movement  that  would 
betray  his  presence  to  those  in  the  rooms  below. 
Occasionally  he  was  forced  by  the  pains  in  his 
cramped  limbs  to  change  his  position,  but  he  did 
this  as  seldom  as  possible  and  with  the  utmost 
caution. 

At  length,  just  as  daylight  was  breaking,  and  cer- 


AN  ALLIGATOR   AND   HIS   ASSAILANT  155 

tain  sounds  indicated  that  the  camp  was  waking  up, 
one  of  these  cautious  movements  dislodged  a  hard 
biscuit  that  lay  on  the  floor  beside  him.  Slipping 
through  a  crevice  in  the  rude  flooring,  it  fell  plump 
on  the  face  of  one  of  the  sleepers  below. 

The  man  thus  suddenly  wakened  sprang  up  with 
a  cry  of  alarm.  He  laughed  when  he  discovered 
the  cause  of  his  fright,  and  exclaimed  in  Ralph 
Boyd's  well-remembered  voice  : 

"  Hello  !  There's  hard  bread  up-stairs,  boys,  and 
the  rats  are  at  work  on  it.  I'm  going  to  stop  their 
fun,  and  secure  my  share." 

With  this  he  started  toward  the  ladder,  and  Coa- 
coochee  nerved  himself  for  the  discovery  that  he 
knew  was  now  unavoidable. 


CHAPTER  XXI 

BATTLE   OF  THE  WITHLACOOCHEE 

The  man  who  had  been  so  rndely  roused  from 
his  sleep  slowly  climbed  the  ladder  leading  to  the 
loft,  and  began  cautiously  to  feel  his  way  across 
the  uneven  flooring.  The  place  in  which  the  Indian 
crouched  and  awaited  his  coming  was  still  shrouded 
in  utter  darkness ;  but  by  the  uncertain  light  com- 
ing up  from  below,  the  approaching  figure  was 
faintly  outlined. 

This  man  had  proved  himself  Coacoochee's  friend, 
and  the  young  chief  had  no  intention  of  harming 
him.  Still,  he  could  not  allow  himself  to  be  cap- 
tured, even  by  Ralph  Boyd.  He  dared  not  trust 
himself  in  the  hands  of  the  whites  after  what  had 
so  recently  happened.  Besides,  it  was  now  more 
than  ever  necessary  that  he  should  be  at  liberty  to 
communicate  with  Osceola  and  inform  him  of  the 
proposed  movements  of  the  troops.  These  thoughts 
flashed  through  his  mind  during  the  few  seconds 
occupied  by  Boyd  in  groping  his  way  toward  the 
dark  corner. 

Suddenly  from  out  of  it  a  dim  figure  sprang  upon 
the  white  man,  with  such  irresistible  force  that  he 

156 


BATTLE   OF   THE   WITHLACOOCHEE  157 

was  hurled  breathless  to  the  floor.  With  one  bound 
it  reached  the  aperture  through  which  the  ladder 
protruded,  and  slid  to  the  room  below.  The  half- 
awakened  men  who  occupied  this,  startled  by  the 
crash  above  them,  were  scrambling  to  their  feet, 
and,  as  Coacoochee  dashed  through  them  toward  the 
open  door,  several  hands  were  stretched  forth  to 
seize  him.  They  failed  to  check  his  progress,  and 
in  another  moment  he  was  gone. 

With  the  swiftness  of  a  bird  he  darted  across 
the  open  space  behind  the  house,  and  disappeared  in 
the  forest  beyond.  So  sudden  and  unexpected  was 
this  entire  performance  that  not  a  shot  was  fired 
after  him,  and  the  young  Indian  could  hardly  realize 
the  completeness  of  his  escape  as  he  found  himself 
unharmed  amid  the  friendly  shadows  of  the  trees. 

Had  he  chosen  to  continue  his  flight  directly  away 
from  the  river,  it  would  have  been  an  easy  matter 
to  gain  a  position  of  absolute  safety,  so  far  as  any 
pursuit  was  concerned.  But  he  must  reach  the 
ford  and  those  whom  he  supposed  to  be  there  await- 
ing him.  Therefore,  after  making  a  long  detour 
through  the  forest,  he  again  approached  the  With- 
lacoochee,  at  a  point  several  miles  above  where  he 
had  left  it. 

In  the  meantime,  the  presence  of  an  Indian  in 
the  very  heart  of  their  camp  had  occasioned  the 
greatest  excitement  throughout  General  Clinch's 
army.     He  was  the  first  they  had  encountered,  and 


158  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

his  boldness,  together  with  the  manner  in  which 
he  had  eluded  them,  invested  him  with  an  alarm- 
ing air  of  mystery.  It  was  the  general  opinion 
that  there  must  be  others  on  that  side  of  the  river 
in  the  immediate  vicinity,  and  scouts  were  sent  out 
in  all  directions  to  ascertain  their  whereabouts.  At 
the  same  time  the  crossing  of  the  Withlacoochee 
by  means  of  the  single  canoe  was  begun  and  prose- 
cuted with  all  possible  rapidity. 

Coacoochee  was  greatly  embarrassed  in  his  at- 
tempt to  gain  the  ford  by  the  presence  of  the 
scouting  parties,  and  was  more  than  once  on  the 
eve  of  being  discovered  by  them.  Even  though 
he  might  reach  the  river  without  attracting  their 
notice,  he  feared  they  would  detect  him  in  the  act 
of  crossing  it. 

Finally  he  hit  upon  an  expedient  that  he  believed 
might  prove  successful.  Cautiously  gaining  the 
bank  at  some  distance  above  the  ford,  he  hastily 
bound  together  four  bits  of  dry  wood  in  the  form 
of  a  square  by  means  of  slender  withes  of  the  wild 
grape.  For  this  purpose  he  choose  green  vines  that 
were  covered  with  leaves.  He  also  cut  a  number  of 
leafy  twigs,  and  inserting  their  ends  beneath  the  lash- 
ing of  vines  produced  a  fair  imitation  of  a  green 
bush.  The  deception  was  heightened  as  he  care- 
fully placed  his  rude  structure  in  the  water,  where 
it  floated  most  naturally. 

Then  concealing  his  rifle  and  clothing,  and  thrust- 


BATTLE   OF   THE   WITHLACOOCHEE  159 

ing  the  trusty  knife,  which  was  now  to  be  his  only 
weapon,  into  the  snakeskin  sheath  that  depended 
from  a  buckskin  thong  about  his  waist,  the  youth 
slipped  gently  into  the  water  and  sank  beneath 
its  surface.  When  he  rose,  his  head  was  inside 
the  little  square  of  sticks  and  completely  screened 
from  view  by  its  leafy  canopy.  Thus  floating,  and 
paddling  gently  with  his  hands,  he  caused  the  mass 
of  foliage  to  move  almost  imperceptibly  out  from 
the  shore,  while  at  the  same  time  he  and  it  were 
borne  downward  with  the  sluggish  current. 

Coacoochee  had  no  fear  of  alligators.  He  had 
been  familiar  with  them  ever  since  he  could  re- 
member anything,  and  was  well  acquainted  with 
their  cowardly  nature.  Thus  when  he  had  success- 
fully passed  the  middle  of  the  river,  and  was  gently 
working  his  way  toward  its  opposite  bank,  the  near 
approach  of  one  of  these  monsters  did  not  cause  him 
any  uneasiness.  He  knew  that  he  could  frighten 
the  great  reptile  away,  or  even  kill  it,  though  he 
feared  that  by  so  doing  he  might  expose  himself  to 
a  shot  from  those  who  still  scouted  along  the  bank 
he  had  so  recently  left. 

Finally  the  monster  approached  so  close  that  he 
was  sickened  by  its  musky  breath,  and  it  became 
evident  that  he  was  about  to  be  attacked.  Drawing 
his  long  knife,  the  young  Indian  allowed  himself  to 
sink  without  making  a  sound  or  a  movement.  A 
single  stroke  carried  him  directly  beneath  the  huge 


160  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

beast,  and  a  powerful  upward  thrust  plunged  the 
keen  blade  deep  into  its  most  vulnerable  spot  through 
the  soft  skin  under  one  of  the  fore-shoulders. 

In  spite  of  the  danger  from  the  creature's  death 
flurry,  Coacoochee  was  compelled  to  rise  for  breath 
close  beside  it. 

This  was  the  moment  waited  for  by  a  white  scout 
on  the  further  bank,  who  had  for  some  time  been 
directing  keenly  suspicious  glances  at  the  mysterious 
movements  of  the  floating  bush.  More  than  once  his 
rifle  had  been  raised  for  the  purpose  of  sending  an 
inquiring  leaden  messenger  into  the  centre  of  that 
clump  of  foliage,  but  each  time  it  had  been  lowered 
as  its  owner  determined  to  watch  and  wait  a  little 
longer. 

Now  the  bullet  was  sped,  and  only  the  great  com- 
motion of  the  water  caused  it  to  miss  its  mark  by  an 
inch.  As  the  head  at  which  he  had  fired  immediately 
disappeared,  and  was  seen  no  more,  the  rifleman  fan- 
cied that  his  shot  had  taken  effect,  and  that  there  was 
one  Indian  less  to  be  removed  from  the  country. 

Swimming  under  water  with  the  desperation  of 
one  conscious  that  his  life  depends  upon  his  efforts, 
Coacoochee  did  not  again  come  to  the  surface  until 
he  touched  the  stems  of  the  great  "bonnets,"  or 
leaves  of  the  yellow  cow-lily  on  the  further  side 
of  the  river,  and  could  rise  for  a  breath  of  the 
blessed  air  beneath  their  friendly  screen. 

Here  he  lay  motionless  for  several  minutes,  recov- 


BATTLE  OF  THE    WITHLACOOCHEE  161 

ering  from  his  exhaustion.  At  length  he  ventured 
to  give  the  hawk's  call  as  a  warning  to  his  friends 
of  his  presence.  Then,  gathering  all  his  strength, 
he  made  the  quiet  rush  for  safety  that  carried  him 
among  them. 

It  did  not  take  many  seconds  to  inform  them  that 
the  enemy  for  whom  they  were  watching  so  anxiously 
was  even  then  crossing  the  river,  unconscious  of 
danger,  a  mile  below  that  point. 

The  report  had  hardly  been  made  before  the  eager 
warriors  who  crowded  about  the  speaker  were  in 
motion.  Coacoochee  was  quickly  provided  with 
clothing,  a  rifle,  and  ammunition,  and  fifteen  minutes 
later  the  entire  Indian  force  was  within  hearing 
of  the  sounds  made  by  the  soldiers  as  they  crossed 
the  river.  Here  a  halt  was  made  while  Osceola 
himself  crept  forward  with  the  noiseless  movement 
of  a  serpent  to  discover  the  enemy's  exact  location 
and  disposition. 

To  his  dismay,  he  found  that  a  force  equal  in  num- 
ber to  his  own  had  already  crossed  the  river,  with 
others  constantly  coming.  There  must  not  be  a 
minute's  delay  if  he  would  fight  with  the  faintest 
hope  of  checking  their  advance. 

Hastily  the  forest  warriors  chose  their  positions, 
and  a  crashing  volley  from  their  rifles  was  the  first 
announcement  given  the  soldiers  of  their  presence. 
Although  staggered  for  a  moment,  the  regulars 
quickly  recovered,  fixed  their  gleaming  bayonets,  and 


162  THROUGH   SWAMP   AND   GLADE 

with  a  wild  yell  charged  into  the  cloud  of  smoke. 
The  Indians  fell  back ;  but  only  long  enough  to 
reload  their  guns,  when  they  advanced  in  turn,  pour- 
ing such  a  deadly  fire  into  the  white  ranks  that 
their  formation  was  broken,  and  the  soldiers  were 
driven   back  to  the  river's  bank. 

Here  they  were  reformed  by  the  general  himself, 
and  led  to  a  second  charge  with  results  similar  to 
the  first.  This  time  the  Indians  did  not  give  way 
so  readily,  nor  fall  back  so  far.  Under  the  frenzied 
leadership  of  Alligator  and  Osceola,  who  urged  them 
with  wild  cries  and  frantic  gestures  to  stand  firm, 
they  contested  with  knives,  hatchets,  and  clubbed 
rifles  each  step  of  the  way  over  which  they  were 
slowly  forced. 

In  order  to  shelter  themselves  against  the  Indian 
fire,  the  soldiers  adopted  their  plan  of  fighting,  and 
each,  selecting  a  tree,  took  his  position  behind  it. 
Here  an  exposure  of  the  smallest  portion  of  a  body 
was  certain  to  draw  a  shot,  and  the  whites  were  soon 
made  aAvare  by  their  rapidly  increasing  number  of 
wounded,  that  at  this  game  they  were  no  match  for 
the  Indian  marksmen. 

Coacoochee  and  half  a  dozen  warriors  had  con- 
cealed themselves  on  the  river  bank  above  the  ferry, 
so  that  their  rifles  commanded  it,  and  their  fire  so 
effectually  dampened  the  ardor  of  the  five  hundred 
volunteers  remaining  on  the  other  side  that  not  one 
of  them  crossed  or  took  part  in  the  battle,  except 


BATTLE    OF   THE    WITHLACOOCHEE  163 

by  firing  a  few  scattering  shots  from  their  own  side 
of  the  river. 

For  more  than  an  hour  the  battle  raged.  Osceola 
was  wounded,  and  the  Indian  ammunition  was  giv- 
ing out.  They  were  becoming  discouraged  and  were 
about  to  retire.  All  at  once  Coacoochee,  who,  on 
hearing  of  Osceola's  wound,  had  left  his  little  band 
of  sharpshooters  to  guard  the  crossing,  appeared 
among  them.  The  effect  of  his  presence  and  inspir- 
ing words  was  magical.  Loud  and  fierce  rang  out 
his  battle  cry: 

"  Yo-ho-ee  yo-ho-ee  yo-ho-ee-chee!  " 

With  the  last  grains  of  powder  in  their  rifles 
and  led  by  their  dauntless  young  chief,  the  entire 
body  of  warriors,  yelling  like  demons,  dashed  madly 
through  the  forest  toward  the  line  of  troops. 

"  They  must  have  been  heavily  reinforced,"  shouted 
the  bewildered  soldiers  to  each  other.  "  There  are 
thousands  of  them  !  " 

From  every  bunch  of  palmetto,  from  every  tuft  of 
grass,  and  from  behind  every  tree,  a  yelling,  half- 
naked,  and  death-dealing  Indian  seemed  to  spring 
forth.  A  heavy  but  ill-aimed  fire  did  not  check 
them  in  the  slightest.  The  soldiers  began  to  fall 
back  from  one  tree  to  another.  Some  of  them  ran. 
The  wounded  were  hurriedly  removed  to  the  river 
bank.  Perhaps  some  were  overlooked.  There  was 
no  time  to  search  for  those  who  were  not  in  plain 
view.     The  dead  were  left  where  they  had  fallen. 


164  THROUGH   SWAMP   AND   GLADE 

With  the  first  sign  of  this  yielding,  the  frenzied 
yelling  of  the  Indians  increased,  until  the  whole  for- 
est seemed  alive  with  them.  The  retreat  of  the 
soldiers  became  a  flight.  A  scattering  volley  from 
behind  hastened  their  steps.  The  battle  of  the 
Withlacoochee  was  ended. 


CHAPTER  XXII 

THE   YOUNG   CHIEF    MAKES   A   TIMELY   DISCOVERY 

Without  ammunition  the  warriors  of  Coacoochee 
could  not  be  persuaded  to  remain  on  the  field  of  bat- 
tle, and  the  frightened  soldiers  had  hardly  reached 
the  river  bank  before  the  Indians  were  also  in  full 
retreat  toward  their  strongholds  in  the  great  swamp. 

Of  this  the  soldiers  knew  nothing,  nor  did  they 
stop  to  inquire  why  they  were  not  pursued.  They 
were  thankful  enough  to  be  allowed  to  re-embark,  a 
dozen  at  a  time,  in  their  one  canoe  and  recross  the 
river  without  molestation.  They  imagined  the  for- 
est behind  them  to  be  swarming  with  Indians,  and 
they  trembled  beneath  the  supposed  gaze  of  hundreds 
of  gleaming  eyes  with  which  their  fancy  filled  every 
thicket. 

Late  that  afternoon  General  Clinch  and  his  terri- 
fied army  were  in  full  retreat  toward  Fort  Drane, 
with  their  eyes  widely  opened  to  the  danger  and 
difficulty  of  invading  an  enemy's  country,  even 
though  that  enemy  was  but  a  band  of  despised  Ind- 
ians. They  carried  with  them  fifty  wounded  men 
and  left  four  dead  behind  them,  besides  several  others 
reported  as  missing.     They  had  killed  three  of  the 

165 


166  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

enemy  and  wounded  five.  When  they  reached  the 
safe  shelter  of  the  fort,  they  reported  that  they  had 
gained  an  important  victory. 

Upon  the  retreat  of  the  Seminoles,  Coacoochee 
and  Louis,  who  had  rejoined  him  that  day,  re- 
mained behind  to  watch  the  troops  and  discover 
what  they  might  of  their  plans  for  the  future. 
They  supposed,  of  course,  that  with  the  cessation 
of  the  Indian  fire,  the  soldiers  would  again  advance, 
and  finding  no  further  opposition  offered,  would 
proceed  with  their  invasion  of  the  country.  They 
could  hardly  believe  their  own  eyes,  therefore,  when 
they  saw  that  the  troops  were  actually  recrossing 
the  river,  as  evidently  in  full  retreat  as  were  the 
Seminole  warriors  in  the  opposite  direction  at  that 
very  moment. 

Upon  beholding  this  marvellous  sight,  Louis  was 
in  favor  of  hastening  after  their  friends  and  bring- 
ing them  back  to  follow  and  harass  General  Clinch's 
retreating  army  ;  but  Coacoochee  said  that  without 
ammunition  they  could  do  nothing,  and  that  it  was 
better,  under  the  circumstances,  to  let  affairs  remain 
as  they  were.  At  the  same  time,  he  desired  Louis 
to  hasten  up  to  the  ford,  cross  the  river  at  that  point, 
and,  coming  cautiously  down  on  the  other  side,  dis- 
cover if  the  soldiers  were  really  in  retreat,  or  if 
they  still  had  their  position  near  the  ferryman's 
house.  While  the  mulatto  was  thus  engaged,  he 
himself  would  remain  where  they  were,  to  follow  the 


THE   YOUNG   CHIEF   MAKES  A  DISCOVERY        167 

troops,  should  they  recover  from  their  panic,  and 
decide,  after  all,  to  continue  their  invasion  of  the 
Indian  country. 

After  Louis  had  been  despatched  on  this  mission, 
Coacoochee,  satisfied  that  the  soldiers  were  too  in- 
tent upon  recrossing  the  river  and  gaining  a  place 
of  safety  to  disturb  him,  ventured  to  revisit  the 
battle-field,  in  the  hope  of  finding  a  stray  powder- 
flask  or  pouch  of  bullets. 

So  successful  was  his  search,  that  he  not  only 
found  a  number  of  these,  but  several  rifles  that  had 
been  flung  away  by  the  soldiers  in  their  hurried 
flight. 

While  busy  collecting  these  prizes,  the  young 
chief  was  startled  by  hearing  a  faint  groan.  He 
looked  about  him.  There  was  nobody  in  sight ; 
but  again  he  heard  a  groan.  This  time  he  located 
it  as  proceeding  from  a  clump  of  palmettoes  a  few 
paces  distant. 

Approaching  these,  and  cautiously  parting  their 
broad  leaves,  he  discovered  the  body  of  a  white  man 
lying  face  downward.  The  man  was  evidently 
severely  wounded,  for  he  lay  motionless  in  a  pool 
of  blood,  but  that  he  was  also  alive  was  shown  by 
his  occasional  feeble  groans. 

Coacoochee's  first  impulse  was  to  leave  him  where 
he  lay.  He  would  soon  die  there.  At  any  rate,  the 
wolves  would  make  short  work  of  him  that  night. 
It  was  contrary  to  the  policy  of  the  Indians  to  take 


168  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

prisoners,  and  he  certainly  could  not  be  burdened 
with  one, — a  wounded  one,  at  that. 

His  second  impulse,  which  was  urged  by  pity, 
of  which  even  an  Indian's  breast  is  not  wholly  void, 
was  to  put  the  wretch  out  of  his  misery  by  means 
of  a  mercifully  aimed  bullet.  He  knew  that  his  sav- 
age companions  would  ridicule  such  an  act.  They 
would  either  leave  the  man  to  his  fate,  after  making 
sure  that  he  could  not  possibly  recover,  or  they 
would  revive  him  sufficiently  to  comprehend  their 
purpose  and  then  kill  him.  They  would  never 
be  so  weak  as  to  kill  an  unconscious  man  merely 
to  save  him  from  sutler ing.  Still  this  was  what 
Coacoochee  was  about  to  do,  and  he  felt  a  kindly 
warming  of  the  heart,  as  one  does  who  is  about  to 
perforin  a  generous  deed. 

Slowly  he  raised  his  rifle  and  took  a  careful  aim 
at  the  head  of  the  motionless  figure  before  him.  His 
finger  was  on  the  trigger.  An  instant  more  and  the 
deed  would  have  been  accomplished. 

But  there  is  no  report.  The  brown  rifle  is  slowly 
lowered,  and  the  young  Indian's  gaze  rests  as  though 
fascinated  upon  something  that  caught  his  eye  as  it 
sighted  along  the  deadly  tube. 

It  is  only  a  peculiar  seam  in  the  white  man's  buck- 
skin hunting-tunic,  but  it  runs  clown  the  middle  of 
the  back  from  collar  to  the  bottom  of  the  shirt. 
There  are  other  noticeable  features  about  that  hunt- 
ing-shirt.    The  little  bunches  of  fringe  at  the  shoul- 


THE   YOUNG   CHIEF  MAKES   A   DISCOVERY        169 

ders  are  of  a  peculiar  cut,  and  all  of  its  stitching  is 
in  yellow  silk. 

With  a  low  cry  of  mingled  horror  and  anticipation, 
Coacoochee  dropped  his  rifle,  and  springing  forward, 
turned  the  unconscious  man  over  so  that  his  face  was 
exposed.  It  was  that  of  Ralph  Boyd,  the  man  who 
had  twice  saved  his  life;  the  man  to  whose  noble 
scorn  of  one  of  the  cruellest  enemies  of  an  oppressed 
race  he  had  listened  with  such  pleasure  only  two 
days  before. 

Indian  and  stern  warrior  though  he  was,  Coa- 
cooche  turned  faint  at  the  thought  of  how  nearly 
he  had  taken  this  precious  life,  for  the  saving  of 
which  he  would  willingly  risk  his  own.  The  hunting- 
shirt  worn  by  Boyd  was  the  very  one  in  which  Coa- 
coochee had  paid  his  last  memorable  visit  to  St. 
Augustine.  It  was  the  one  that  had  been  slit  from 
top  to  bottom  by  Fontaine  Salano's  knife,  and  stripped 
from  him,  in  preparation  for  the  whipping  the  brute 
proposed  to  administer.  The  thought  of  that  shame- 
ful moment  caused  Coacoochee's  blood  to  boil  again 
with  rage.  At  the  same  time  the  sight  of  this  noble- 
hearted  stranger  who  had  saved  him  from  that  bitter 
indignity  moved  him  to  greatest  pity. 

Kneeling  beside  the  unconscious  man,  the  young 
Indian  sought  to  discover  the  nature  of  his  Avound. 
To  his  amazement,  it  was  caused  by  a  bullet  that  had 
been  fired  from  behind.  How  could  such  a  thing 
be?     None  but  white  men  were  behind  Boyd  during 


170  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

the  battle.  Suddenly  the  muttered  words  of  Troup 
Jeffers  flashed  into  his  mind.  Now  all  was  clear. 
To  gratify  his  own  petty  revenge  the  slave-catcher 
had  committed  this  cowardly  act. 

The  young  chief  was  busily  engaged  in  stanching 
the  flow  of  blood,  and  binding  a  poultice  of  healing 
leaves,  mixed  with  the  glutinous  juice  of  a  cabbage 
palm,  on  the  wound,  when  Louis  returned  and  stood 
beside  him. 

The  whites  were  in  full  retreat  from  the  scene  of 
their  recent  discomfiture,  and  Louis  had  returned  in 
the  very  canoe  they  had  used  and  abandoned.  Now 
he  and  Coacoochee  bore  the  wounded  man  tenderly 
to  it,  crossed  the  river,  and  carried  him  to  the 
ferryman's  cabin,  where  both  he  and  the  young 
chief  had  passed  the  previous  night,  unconscious 
of  each  other's  presence.  Here  they  made  him 
as  comfortable  as  possible,  and  here  for  awhile  we 
must  leave  them. 


CHAPTER   XXIII 

SHAKESPEARE   IN  THE   FOREST 

Like  a  fire  sped  by  strong  winds  across  a  prairie 
of  brown  and  sun-dried  grasses,  so  did  the  flames  of 
war  sweep  across  the  entire  breadth  of  Florida.  For 
a  year  had  the  Indians  been  preparing  for  it.  Now 
they  were  ready  to  gather  in  numbers,  and  fight 
armies,  or  scatter  in  small  bands,  to  spread  death  and 
destruction  in  every  direction.  The  Seminole  was 
about  to  make  a  desperate  defence  of  his  country, 
and  to  teach  its  invaders  that  they  might  not  steal 
it  from  him  with  impunity. 

Express  riders  carried  news  of  the  war  in  every 
direction.  Everywhere  cabins,  farms,  and  planta- 
tions were  abandoned,  while  their  owners  flocked 
into  forts  and  settlements  for  mutual  protection 
and  safety. 

One  day,  some  two  weeks  after  the  events  nar- 
rated in  the  preceding  chapter,  a  novel  procession 
was  to  be  seen  wending  its  slow,  dusty  way  along 
one  of  the  few  roads  of  those  times  that  led  from 
the  St.  John's  River  to  St.  Augustine.  The  pro- 
cession presented  a  confused  medley  of  horsemen, 
pedestrians,  wheeled  vehicles,  and  cattle,  and  might 

171 


172  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

have  reminded  one  of  the  migration  of  a  band  of 
Asiatic  nomads. 

It  was  indeed  a  migration,  though  one  directed 
rather  by  force  of  circumstances  than  by  choice.  It 
was  a  white  household,  with  its  servants,  cattle,  and 
readily  portable  effects,  fleeing  from  an  abandoned 
plantation  towards  St.  Augustine  for  safety  against 
the  Indians.  None  of  the  party  had  seen  an  Indian 
as  yet,  but  they  were  reported  to  be  ravaging  both 
banks  of  the  river  from  Mandarin  to  Picolata. 

At  first  the  young  mistress  of  this  particular  estate 
had  discredited  the  reports,  for  it  was  only  rumored  as 
yet  that  the  Seminoles  had  really  declared  war.  Her 
brother  being  absent  from  home,  she  for  some  time 
resolutely  declined  to  abandon  the  house  in  which  he 
had  left  her.  The  neighboring  places  on  either  side 
had  been  deserted  for  several  daj^s,  and  their  occu- 
pants had  entreated  her  to  fly  with  them,  but  with- 
out avail. 

"  No,"  she  replied  ;  "here  Ralph  left  me,  and  here 
I  shall  stay  until  he  comes  again,  or  until  I  am 
driven  away  by  something  more  real  than  mere 
rumors." 

At  length  that  "  something  "  came.  All  night  the 
southern  sky  was  reddened  by  a  dull  glow  occasion- 
ally heightened  by  jets  of  flame  and  columns  of 
sparks. 

At  daylight  a  frightened  negro  brought  word  that 
the  Indians  were  but  a  few  miles  away,  and  had 


SHAKESPEARE   IN  THE   FOREST  173 

burned  the  deserted  buildings  on  three  plantations 
during  the  night. 

Now  was  indeed  time  to  seek  safety  in  flight,  and 
"Missy"  Anstice,  as  the  servants  called  her,  ordered  a 
hurried  departure.  Her  own  preparations  were  very 
simple.  A  small  trunk  of  clothing  and  a  few  pre- 
cious souvenirs  were  all  that  she  proposed  to  take. 
With  only  herself,  Letty  her  maid,  and  these  few 
things  in  the  carriage  that  old  Primus  would  drive, 
and  the  servants  in  carts  or  on  muleback,  they  ought 
to  travel  so  speedily  as  to  reach  St.  Augustine  some 
time  that  same  night. 

But  while  Anstice  was  quite  ready  to  start,  she 
found  to  her  dismay  that  no  one  else  was.  Con- 
fusion reigned  in  the  quarters;  there  was  a  wild 
running  hither  and  thither,  a  piling  on  the  carts 
of  rickety  household  furniture,  bedding,  and  goods 
of  every  description;  a  loud  squawking  of  fowls 
tied  by  the  legs,  and  hung  in  mournful  fes- 
toons from  every  projecting  point,  and  a  confused 
lowing,  bleating,  and  grunting  from  flocks  and 
herds. 

In  vain  did  the  young  mistress  command  and 
plead.  All  the  servants  on  that  plantation  were 
free.  Many  of  them  owned  the  carts  they  were 
loading,  and  nothing  short  of  the  appearance  of 
Indians  on  the  spot  could  have  induced  them  to  re- 
linquish their  precious  household  treasures.  "  Lor, 
Missy  Anstice!"  one  would  say  reproachful^,  "  yo 


174  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

wouldn'  tink  ob  astin'  a  ole  ooman  to  leab  behine  de 
onliest  fedder  bed  she  done  got  ?  " 

u  But  I  am  going  to  leave  all  mine,  aunty." 

"  Yah,  honey ;  but  yo'se  got  a  heap  ob  'em,  while 
I've  ony  got  jes'  dis  one." 

And  so  it  went.  Useless  articles  taken  from  over- 
loaded carts,  at  Anstice's  earnest  solicitation,  were 
slyly  added  to  others  when  she  was  not  looking. 
Her  brother  acted  as  his  own  overseer,  so  there  were 
no  whites  on  the  plantation  to  aid  her.  She  alone 
must  order  this  exodus,  and  beneath  its  responsi- 
bilities she  found  herself  well-nigh  helpless. 

At  length,  in  despair,  and  having  wasted  most  of 
the  morning  in  useless  expostulations,  she  entered 
the  heavy,  old-fashioned  coach,  with  Letty  the  maid, 
and  gave  Primus  the  order  to  set  forth. 

As  the  carriage  passed  the  quarters,  there  was  a 
great  cry  of : 

"  Don'  yo  leab  us,  Missy  Anstice  !  Don'  yo  gway 
an'  leab  us  to  de  Injins  !     We'se  a  comin'." 

So  Primus  was  ordered  to  drive  slowly,  and  under 
other  circumstances  the  English  girl  would  have  been 
vastly  amused  at  the  motley  procession  that  began 
to  straggle  along  behind  her  ;  but  the  danger  Avas 
too  imminent  and  too  great  to  admit  of  any  thoughts 
save  those  of  anxiety  and  fear. 

An  hour  or  more  passed  without  incident.  The 
sun  beat  down  fiercely  from  an  unclouded  sky,  and 
the  shadows  of  the  tall  pines  seemed  to  nestle  close 


e  *e>c 

e  a  c  ■ 


SHAKESPEARE   IN  THE   FOREST  175 

to  the  brown  trunks  in  an  effort  to  escape  his  scorch- 
ing rays.  A  sound  of  locusts  filled  the  air.  The 
grateful  sea-breeze  that  would  steal  inland  an  hour 
later  was  still  afar  off,  and  but  for  the  urgency  of 
their  flight,  the  slow-moving  cavalcade  would  have 
rested  until  it  came.  The  tongues  of  the  cattle  hung 
from  their  mouths,  and  a  cloud  of  dust  enveloped 
them.  The  heads  of  horses  and  mules  were  stretched 
straight  out,  and  their  ears  drooped.  Old  Primus 
nodded  on  the  carriage  seat.  Letty  was  fast  asleep, 
and  even  her  young  mistress  started  from  an  occa- 
sional doze. 

Unobserved  by  a  single  eye  in  all  that  weary 
throng,  another  cloud  of  dust,  similar  to  that  hanging 
above  and  about  them,  rose  in  their  rear.  It  ap- 
proached rapidly,  until  it  was  so  close  that  the  clouds 
mingled.  Then  from  out  the  gray  canopy  burst  a 
whirlwind  of  yells,  shots,  galloping  horses,  and  hu- 
man forms  with  wildly  waving  arms. 

In  an  instant  the  fugitives  were  roused  from  their 
drowsiness  to  a  state  of  bewildered  terror.  Men 
shouted  and  beat  their  animals,  women  screamed, 
horses  plunged,  mules  kicked,  and  carts  were  upset. 

The  first  intimation  of  this  onset  that  reached  the 
occupants  of  the  carriage,  was  in  the  form  of  madly 
galloping  cattle  that,  with  loud  bellowings,  wild  eyes, 
and  streaming  tails,  began  to  dash  past  on  either  side. 
Then  their  own  horses  took  fright,  and  urged  on  by 
old  Primus,  tore  away  down  the  road. 


176  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

All  at  once  the  terrified  occupants  of  the  flying 
vehicle  looked  up  at  the  sound  of  a  triumphant 
yell,  only  to  behold  fierce  eyes  glaring  at  them 
from  hideously  painted  faces  at  either  door.  The 
muzzle  of  a  rifle  was  thrust  in  at  one  of  the  open 
windows,  and  at  sight  of  it  Anstice  Boyd  hid  her 
face  in  her  hands,  believing  that  her  last  moment 
had  come. 

When  she  recovered  from  her  terror  sufficiently 
to  look  about  her  once  more,  Letty  was  sobbing 
hysterically  on  the  floor,  but  there  was  no  motion 
to  the  carriage,  and  all  was  silent  around  them. 
Primus  was  no  longer  on  the  box,  and  the  carriage 
was  not  in  the  road. 

Determined  to  discover  their  exact  situation, 
Anstice  opened  one  of  the  doors,  with  a  view  to 
stepping  out.  At  that  moment  a  loud  and  signifi- 
cant "  ugh  !  "  coining  from  beneath  the  carriage, 
caused  her  to  change  her  mind  and  hastily  reclose 
the  door,  as  though  it  were  in  some  way  a  pro- 
tection. 

A  few  moments  later  two  mounted  Indians  rode 
up  to  the  carriage,  and  each  leading  one  of  its 
horses,  it  began  to  move  slowly  through  the  track- 
less pine  forest.  As  it  started,  the  Indian  who  had 
been  left  to  guard  it  sprang  to  the  seat  lately 
occupied  by  old  Primus. 

For  hours  the  strange  journey  was  continued, 
and  it  was  after  sunset  when  it  finally  ended  near 


SHAKESPEARE   IN  THE   FOREST  177 

the  great  river  at  a  place  some  miles  below  the 
plantation  they  had  left  that  morning.  Now  the 
wearied  prisoners  were  allowed  to  leave  their  car- 
riage, and  were  led  to  where  several  negro  women 
were  cooking  supper  over  a  small  fire. 

Anstice  was  provided  with  food,  but  she  could 
not  eat.  Terror  and  anxiety  had  robbed  her  of 
all  appetite,  and  she  could  only  sit  and  gaze  at 
the  strange  scene  about  her,  as  it  was  disclosed 
by  the  fitful  firelight. 

Files  of  plunder  were  scattered  on  all  sides.  A 
lowing  of  cattle,  grunting  of  hogs,  cackling  and 
crowing  of  fowls,  the  spoils  of  many  a  ravaged 
barnyard,  rose  on  the  night  air.  There  was  much 
laughing  and  talking,  both  in  a  strange  Indian 
language  that  still  seemed  to  contain  a  number  of 
English  words,  and  in  the  homely  negro  dialect. 

As  the  bewildered  girl  crouched  at  the  foot  of  a 
tree,  and  recalling  tale  after  tale  of  savage  atroci- 
ties, trembled  at  the  fate  she  believed  to  be  in 
store  for  her,  she  started  at  the  sound  of  a  heavy 
footfall  close  at  hand. 

"  Bress  yo  heart,  honey  !  hit's  ony  me  !  "  exclaimed 
the  well-known  voice  of  old  Primus,  who,  after  a 
long  search,  had  just  discovered  his  young  mistress. 
"  Hyar's  a  jug  o'  milk  an'  a  hot  pone,  an'  I'se  come 
to  'splain  dere  hain't  no  reason  fo'  being  scairt  ob 
dese  yeah  red  Injuns.  Ole  Primus  done  fix  it  so's 
dey  hain't  gwine  hut  yo.      Dey's  mighty  frienly  to 


178  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

de  cullud  folks,  and  say  ef  we  gwine  long  wif  'em, 
we  stay  free  same  like  we  allers  bin ;  but  ef  we 
go  ter  Augustine,  de  white  folks  cotch  us  an'  sell 
us  fo  payin  de  oxpenses  ob  de  wah. 

"  Same  time  I  bin  makin'  'rangement  wif  'em  dat 
ef  we'se  gwine  long  er  dem,  dey  is  boun  ter  let 
yo  go  safe  to  Augustine,  whar  Marse  Boyd'll  be 
looking  fer  yo.  Yes'm,  I'se  bin  councillin'  wif  'em 
an'  settle  all  dat  ar." 

"  But,  Primus,  I  thought  you  were  scared  to  death 
of  the  Indians,  and  didn't  understand  a  word  of 
their  language,"  interrupted  Anstice. 

"  Who  ?  me  !  Sho,  Missy  Anstice,  yo  suttenly  don't 
reckin  I  was  scairt.  No'm,  I  hain't  scairt  ob  no 
red  Injin,  now  dat  I  onerstan'in  deir  langwidge  an' 
deir  'tenshuns.  Why,  missy,  deir  talk's  mighty  nigh 
de  same  as  ourn  when  yo  gits  de  hang  ob  hit.  So, 
honey,  yo  want  to  chirk  up  and  quit  yo  mo'nin',  an' 
eat  a  bit,  and  den  come  to  de  theayter,  foh  it  sholy 
will  be  fine." 

"  What  do  you  mean  by  the  theatre  ?  "  asked  the 
bewildered  girl;  whereupon  Primus  explained  that  at 
one  of  the  plantations  raided  by  the  Indians  a  com- 
pany of  actors  on  their  way  to  St.  Augustine  had 
been  discovered,  captured,  and  brought  along  with 
all  their  properties.  These  people  were  at  first 
informed  that  they  were  to  be  burned  to  death  at 
the  stake.  Afterwards  it  was  decided  that  they 
should  be   given   their   lives   and   freedom   if   they 


SHAKESPEARE   IN  THE   EOREST  179 

would  entertain  their  captors  with  an  exhibition  of 
their  art  that  very  evening.  This  contract  stipu- 
lated that  the  performance  should  be  as  complete 
and  detailed  as  though  given  before  a  white  audience, 
and  that  any  member  of  the  company  failing  to  act 
his  part  in  a  satisfactory  manner  would  render  him- 
self liable  to  become  a  target  for  bullets  and  arrows. 

Under  the  circumstances  it  is  doubtful  if  a  play 
was  ever  presented  under  more  extraordinary  condi- 
tions, greater  difficulties,  or  by  actors  more  anxious 
to  perform  creditably  their  respective  parts,  than 
was  this  one  given  in  the  depths  of  a  Florida  wilder- 
ness. The  stage  was  an  open  space,  roofed  by  arch- 
ing trees,  and  lighted  by  great  fires  of  pine  knots 
constantly  replenished.  The  wings  were  two  wag- 
ons drawn  up  on  either  side. 

The  play  selected  for  this  important  occasion  was 
Hamlet,  and  for  awhile  everything  proceeded 
smoothly.  Then  the  audience  began  to  grow 
impatient  of  the  long  soliloquies,  and  to  the  intense 
surprise  of  the  captives,  a  gruff  voice  called  out  : 

"Oh,  cut  it  short  an'  git  to  fightin'!  " 

"No,  give  us  a  dance,"  shouted  another,  "an' 
hyar's  a  chune  to  dance  by." 

With  this  a  pistol  shot  rang  out,  and  a  ball  struck 
the  ground  close  to  Horatio's  feet.  The  frightened 
actor  bounded  into  the  air,  and  as  he  alighted,  an- 
other shot,  coupled  with  a  fierce  order  to  dance, 
assured   him   that   his   tormentors   were   in  deadly 


180  THROUGH  SWAMP  AND  GLADE 

earnest.  So  he  danced,  and  the  others  were  com- 
pelled to  join  him.  To  an  accompaniment  of  roars 
of  laughter  from  the  delighted  savages,  the  terrified 
actors,  clad  in  all  the  bravery  of  tinsel  armor  and 
nodding  plumes,  were  thus  compelled  to  cut  capers 
and  perform  strange  antics  until  some  of  them  fell 
to  the  ground  from  sheer  exhaustion. 

The  humor  of  the  savages  now  took  another  turn, 
and  with  fierce  oaths,  mingled  with  threats  of  in- 
stant death  if  the  players  were  ever  seen  in  that 
country  again,  they  drove  them  from  camp  and  bade 
them  make  their  way  to  St.  Augustine. 

As  these  fugitives  disappeared  in  the  surrounding 
darkness,  a  big,  hideously  painted  savage  who  wore 
on  his  face  the  uncommon  adornment  of  a  bristling 
beard,  advanced  to  Anstice  Boyd,  and  in  a  jargon  of 
broken  English  bade  her  follow  them  if  she  valued 
her  life. 

As  the  frightened  girl  started  to  obey  this  man- 
date, old  Primus  interfered  and  began  to  remonstrate 
with  the  savage,  whereupon  he  was  struck  to  the 
ground  with  so  cruel  a  blow  that  blood  gushed  from 
his  mouth.  Filled  with  horror  at  these  happenings, 
and  believing  her  life  to  be  in  peril  if  she  lingered 
another  minute,  the  fair  English  girl  sprang  away, 
and  was  quickly  lost  to  sight  in  the  black  forest 
shadows. 


CHAPTER  XXIV 

BOGUS   INDIANS   AND   THE   REAL  ARTICLE 

As  Anstice  Boyd  fled  blindly  from  the  presence 
of  the  savage  who  had  just  struck  down  her  faithful 
servant,  she  had  no  idea  of  the  direction  she  was 
taking,  nor  of  what  haven  she  might  hope  to  reach. 
She  knew  only  that  she  was  once  more  free  to  make 
her  way  to  friends,  if  she  could,  and  her  greatest 
present  fear  was  that  the  savages  might  repent  their 
generosity,  and  seek  to  recapture  her.  So,  as  she 
ran,  she  listened  fearfully  for  sounds  of  pursuit,  and 
several  times  fancied  that  she  heard  soft  footfalls 
close  at  hand,  though  hasty  glances  over  her  shoul- 
der disclosed  no  cause  for  apprehension. 

At  length,  she  came  to  the  end  of  her  strength, 
and  sank  wearily  to  the  ground  at  the  foot  of  a 
giant  magnolia.  Almost  as  she  did  so,  a  low  cry  of 
despair  came  from  her  lips,  for  with  noiseless  step 
the  slender  form  of  a  young  Indian  stood,  like  an  ap- 
parition beside  her.  She  had  not  then  escaped,  after 
all,  but  was  still  at  the  mercy  of  the  savages  whose 
cruelty  she  had  so  recently  witnessed.  This  one 
had  doubtless  been  sent  to  kill  her.  Thus  thinking, 
the  trembling  girl  covered  her  face  with  her  hands, 

181 


182  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

and,  praying  that  the  fatal  blow  might  be  swift  and 
sure,  dumbly  awaited  its  delivery.  Seconds  passed, 
and  it  did  not  fall.  The  agony  of  suspense  was 
intolerable.  She  was  about  to  spring  up  as  though 
in  an  effort  to  escape,  and  thus  precipitate  her  fate, 
when,  to  her  amazement,  she  became  aware  that  the 
Indian  was  speaking  in  a  low  tone,  and  in  her  own 
tongue. 

"My  white  sister  must  not  be  afraid,"  he  said. 
"  Coacoochee  has  come  far  to  find  her  and  take  her 
to  a  place  of  safety.  Ralph  Boyd  is  his  friend,  his 
only  friend  among  all  the  millions  of  white  men. 
He  is  wounded,  and  lies  in  a  Seminole  lodge. 
After  a  little  we  will  go  to  him.  There  is  no  time 
now  to  tell  more.  I  have  that  to  do  which  must 
be  done  quickly.  Let  my  sister  rest  here,  and  in 
one  hour  I  will  come  again." 

As  he  concluded  these  words,  which  had  been 
uttered  hurriedly,  and  in  a  voice  but  little  above 
a  whisper,  the  Indian  turned  and  disappeared  as 
noiselessly  as  he  had  come,  seeming  to  melt  away 
among  the  woodland  shadows. 

The  bewildered  girl,  thus  again  left  alone,  tried 
to  collect  her  dazed  senses  and  fix  upon  some  plan 
of  action.  Should  she  still  attempt  to  escape,  or 
should  she  trust  the  youth  who  had  just  announced 
himself  to  be  Coacoochee,  the  friend  of  her  brother  ? 
Of  course,  he  must  belong  to  the  band  that  had  re- 
cently held  her  captive,  though  she  had  not  seen 


BOGUS  INDIANS   AND   THE   KEAL  ARTICLE       183 

him  among  them.  What  should  she  do  ?  Which 
way  should  she  turn  ? 

In  her  terror,  Anstice  was  unconsciously  asking 
these  questions  aloud,  though  her  only  answers  were 
the  night  sounds  of  the  forest.  Suddenly  there 
came  to  her  ears  the  crash  of  rifles,  accompanied  by 
the  blood-chilling  Seminole  war-cry,  and  followed 
by  fierce  yells,  shrieks  of  mortal  agony,  and  the 
other  horrid  sounds  of  a  death-struggle  between 
man  and  man,  that  was  evidently  taking  place  but 
a  short  distance  from  her. 

The  girl  sprang  to  her  feet,  but,  bound  to  the 
spot  by  the  horror  of  those  sounds,  she  listened 
breathlessly  and  with  strained  ears.  Had  the  sav- 
ages been  attacked  by  a  party  of  whites  ?  It 
might  be.  She  knew  that  troops  of  both  regulars 
and  militia  were  abroad  in  every  direction.  Had 
not  she  and  her  brother  entertained  one  of  these 
small  war-parties  hastening  from  St.  Augustine 
to  join  the  western  army  only  a  short  time  be- 
fore ?  It  had  been  commanded  by  their  friend, 
Lieutenant  Irwin  Douglass,  who  had  easily  per- 
suaded Ralph  Boyd  to  accompany  him  as  far  as 
Fort  King,  that  he  might  learn  for  himself  the  true 
state  of  affairs  in  the  Indian  country.  Might  it 
not  be  that  one  of  these  detachments,  even,  possibly, 
that  of  Douglass  himself,  had  tracked  this  band  of 
savages  to  their  hiding-place,  and  were  visiting 
upon  them  a  terrible  but  well-merited  punishment  ? 


184  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

In  that  case,  to  fly  would  be  folly;  for,  with  the 
Indians  defeated,  as  of  course  they  must  be,  she 
would  find  safety  among  the  victors. 

Thus  thinking,  and  filled  with  an  eager  desire  to 
learn  more  of  the  tragedy  being  enacted  so  near  her, 
the  girl  began  to  advance,  fearfully  and  cautiously, 
in  the  direction  of  those  appalling  sounds.  As  she 
approached  the  scene  of  conflict,  its  noise  gradually 
died  away,  until  an  occasional  shout  and  a  confused 
murmur  of  voices  were  borne  to  her  on  the  night  air. 
The  short  battle  was  ended,  and  one  side  or  the  other 
was  victorious ;  which  one,  she  must  discover  at  all 
hazards.  A  gleam  of  firelight  directed  her  steps, 
and  she  continued  her  cautious  advance  to  a  point 
of  river  bank,  from  which,  though  still  concealed  by 
dark  shadows,  she  could  command  a  full  view  of  the 
beach  below.  There,  by  the  light  of  the  rising 
moon,  aided  by  that  of  the  fires,  she  beheld  a  scene 
so  strange  that  for  some  minutes  she  could  make 
nothing  of  it. 

Two  large  flat-boats,  such  as  were  used  by  plant- 
ers along  the  river  for  the  transportation  of  produce 
to  waiting  vessels  at  its  mouth,  lay  moored  to  the 
bank.  One  of  them  seemed  to  be  piled  high  with 
plunder,  while  the  other  was  filled  with  a  dark  mass 
of  humanity,  from  which  came  a  medle}r  of  voices 
speaking  with  the  unmistakable  accent  of  negroes. 
Anstice  could  see  that  these  had  been  captives,  as, 
two  at  a  time,  they  stepped  ashore,  where  the  ropes 


BOGUS   INDIANS   AND  THE   REAL  ARTICLE       185 

confining  them  were  severed  by  flashing  knives  in 
the  hands  of  dusky  figures,  apparently  Indians.  A 
number  of  motionless  forms  lay  on  the  beach,  and 
some  of  the  others  seemed  to  be  examining  these, 
going  from  one  to  another,  and  spending  but  a  few 
moments  with  each  one. 

The  girl  gazed  anxiously,  but  full  of  bewilderment 
and  Avith  a  heavy  heart,  at  these  things.  Where  were 
the  whites  she  had  so  confidently  expected  to  see? 
She  could  not  discover  one.  All  of  those  on  the 
beach,  dead  as  well  as  living,  appeared  to  be  either 
Indians  or  negroes.  What  could  it  mean?  Did 
Indian  fight  with  Indian  ?  She  had  never  heard  of 
such  a  thing  in  Florida. 

As  she  looked  and  wondered  with  ever-sinking 
heart,  and  filled  with  despairing  thoughts,  she  was 
attracted  by  the  voice  of  an  Indian  who,  near  one  of 
the  fires,  was  evidently  issuing  an  order  to  the  others. 
She  imagined  him  to  be  the  one  who  had  appeared  to 
her  a  short  time  before,  and  called  himself  "  Coacoo- 
chee,"  but  she  could  not  be  certain.  In  striving  to 
obtain  a  better  view  of  his  face,  she  incautiously 
stepped  forward  to  a  projecting  point  of  the  bank. 
In  another  moment  the  treacherous  soil  had  loosened 
beneath  her  weight,  and  with  frantic  but  ineffective 
efforts  to  save  herself,  she  slid  down  the  sandy  face 
of  the  bluff  to  its  bottom. 

At  her  first  appearance,  the  startled  savages  seized 
their  guns,  and   nerved   themselves  for   an  attack; 


186  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

but,  on  discovering  how  little  cause  there  was  for 
alarm,  they  remained  motionless,  though  staring 
with  amazement  at  the  unexpected  intruder. 

Poor  Anstice  was  not  only  filled  with  fresh  ter- 
rors, but  was  covered  with  confusion  at  the  absurd- 
ity of  her  situation.  Ere  she  could  regain  her  feet, 
the  Indian  who  seemed  to  be  in  command  sprang 
forward  and  assisted  her  to  rise. 

"My  white  sister  came  too  quickly,"  he  said 
gravely  ;  "  she  should  have  stayed  in  the  shadow  of 
the  itto  micco  [magnolia]  till  the  time  for  coming. 
It  is  not  good  for  her  to  see  such  things."  Here 
the  speaker  swept  his  arm  over  the  battle-ground. 
"  Since  she  has  come,"  he  continued,  "  Coacoochee 
will  deliver  the  words  of  Ralph  Boyd  — " 

At  this  moment  he  was  interrupted  by  a  joyful 
cry,  a  rush  of  footsteps,  and  Letty,  the  maid,  sob- 
bing and  laughing  in  a  breath,  came  flying  up  the 
beach,  to  fling  her  arms  about  the  neck  of  her 
beloved  young  mistress.  She  was  followed  by  old 
Primus,  hobbling  stiffly,  and  uttering  pious  ejacula- 
tions of  thankfulness.  Behind  him  crowded  the 
entire  force  of  the  plantation,  men,  women,  and  chil- 
dren, all  shouting  with  joy  at  the  sight  of  "  Missy 
Anstice." 

The  stern-faced  warriors  watched  this  scene  with 
indulgent  smiles,  for  they  knew  that  the  sunny- 
haired  girl,  looking  all  the  fairer  in  contrast  with 
the  sable-hued  throng  about  her,  was  the  sister  of 


BOGUS   INDIANS   AND   THE   REAL  ARTICLE        187 

the  white  man  who  had  so  befriended  their  young 
war-chief. 

"What  does  it  all  mean?"  cried  Anstice,  at 
length  disengaging  herself  from  Letty's  hysterical 
embrace.  "  What  was  the  cause  of  the  firing  I 
heard  but  a  short  while  since?  Who  are  those 
yonder?"  Here  she  pointed  with  a  shudder  at 
the  motionless  forms  lying  prone  on  the  sands. 
"Surely  they  must  be  Indians,  and  yet,  I  knew 
not  that  the  hand  of  the  red  man  was  lifted  against 
his  fellows." 

"They  are  not  of  the  Iste-chatte  [red  man],  but 
belong  to  the  Iste-hatke  [white  man],"  answered 
Coacoochee,  gravely. 

"Dey's  white  debbils  painted  wif  blackness,"  mut- 
tered old  Primus. 

"They  are  white  men,  Miss  Anstice,  disguised 
like  Injuns,"  explained  Letty,  whose  style  of  conver- 
sation, from  long  service  as  lady's  maid,  was  superior 
to  her  station.  "And  oh,  Miss  Anstice!  they  were 
going  to  take  us  down  the  river  to  sell  us  into  slav- 
ery. We  wouldn't  believe  they  could  be  white  men, 
but  the  paint  has  been  washed  from  the  faces  of  some 
of  them,  and  iioav  we  know  it  is  so." 

Gradually,  by  listening  to  one  and  another  who 
volunteered  information,  Anstice  Boyd  learned  that 
the  supposed  savages,  whose  prisoner  she  had  been, 
were  indeed  a  party  of  white  slave-catchers,  dis- 
guised in  paint  and  feathers,  so  that  their  deeds  of 


188  THROUGH   SWAMP   AND   GLADE 

rascality  might  be  laid  to  the  Seminoles.  Coacoo- 
chee,  to  relieve  the  anxiety  of  Ralph  Boyd,  who  lay 
wounded  and  helpless  in  an  Indian  village,  had  set 
forth  with  a  small  band  of  warriors  to  escort  his 
friend's  sister  to  a  place  of  safety,  among  people  of 
her  own  race.  He  found  the  plantation  deserted, 
and,  coming  across  the  trail  of  the  marauders  who 
had  captured  its  occupants,  quickly  discovered  their 
true  character  by  many  unmistakable  signs. 

When  they  encamped  for  the  night,  the  vengeful 
eyes  of  his  warriors  were  upon  them ;  and  when,  for 
their  own  safety,  they  freed  their  white  prisoners  and 
drove  them  away  to  spread  the  report  of  this  fresh 
Indian  outrage,  these  were  allowed  to  pass  through 
the  Seminole  line  without  molestation.  Coacoochee 
alone  followed  Anstice  Boyd  beyond  ear-shot  of  the 
camp,  to  assure  her  of  friendly  aid  and  safety;  then 
he  returned  to  deal  out  to  the  white  ruffians  their 
well-deserved  punishment. 

He  would  not  fire  on  them  while  they  and  the 
blacks  whom  they  proposed  to  turn  into  property 
were  mingled  together  ;  but  when  the  latter  were 
bound  and  driven  into  the  boats,  he  gave  the  terrible 
signal.  More  than  half  the  painted  band  fell  at  the 
first  fire  ;  the  remainder,  with  the  exception  of  the 
leader  and  two  others,  who  escaped  in  a  canoe,  were 
quickly  despatched,  and  the  deed  of  vengeance  was 
completed. 

In  view  of  these  occurrences,  and  with  the  cer- 


BOGUS   INDIANS  AND   THE   REAL   ARTICLE       180 

tainty  that  troops  would  be  sent  in  pursuit  of  Coa- 
coochee's  band,  to  which  all  the  recent  aggressions 
would  of  course  be  credited,  the  young  chief  no 
longer  deemed  it  prudent  to  attempt  to  escort  his 
friend's  sister  to  the  vicinity  of  any  white  settlement. 
He  proposed  instead  to  carry  her  to  her  brother. 

The  girl  accepted  this  plan,  provided  she  might  be 
accompanied  by  her  maid  Letty,  a  condition  to  which 
the  young  Indian  readily  agreed. 

During  the  feAv  hours  that  remained  of  the  night, 
Anstice  and  her  maid  slept  the  sleep  of  utter  weari- 
ness in  the  carriage  that  had  brought  them  to  that 
place,  and  with  the  earliest  dawn  were  prepared  to 
start  toward  the  Seminole  stronghold,  deep  hidden 
among  Withlacoochee  swamps. 


CHAPTER   XXV 

A   SWAMP   STRONGHOLD    OF   THE   SEMLNOLES 

On  the  morning  following  that  midnight  tragedy 
of  the  wilderness,  the  Indians  made  haste  to  retreat 
to  that  portion  of  the  country  which  they  still  called 
their  own.  The  flat-boats  were  used  to  carry  them- 
selves, their  negro  allies,  and  such  of  the  plunder 
as  could  be  readily  transported  to  the  opposite 
side  of  the  river ;  the  cattle  and  horses  were  made 
to  swim  across.  Such  of  the  plunder  collected  by 
the  white  renegades  as  must  be  left  behind  was 
burned.  Among  all  the  property  thus  acquired 
by  the  Indians,  none  was  more  highly  j>rized  than 
the  gorgeous  costumes  of  the  theatrical  company. 
The  unfortunate  actors  had  been  forced  to  aban- 
don these  in  their  hurried  flight,  and  now  Coacoo- 
chee's  grim-faced  warriors  wore  them  with  startling 
effect. 

Anstice  Boyd  could  not  help  smiling  at  the  fan- 
tastic appearance  thus  presented  by  her  escort, 
though  feeling  that  the  circumstances  in  which  she 
was  placed  warranted  anything  rather  than  smiles  or 
light-heartedness.  Was  her  brother  really  wounded, 
and  was  she  being  taken  to  him,  or  were  those  only 

190 


A   SWAMP   STRONGHOLD   OF   THE   SEMINOLES      191 

plausible  tales  to  lure  her  away  beyond  chance  of 
rescue  ? 

"  Can  we  trust  him,  Letty  ?  Has  he  told  us  the 
truth  ?  "  she  asked  of  her  maid,  indicating  Coacoo- 
chee  with  a  slight  nod. 

"  Law,  yes,  Miss  Anstice  !  You  can  always  trust 
an  Injun  to  tell  you  the  truth,  for  they  hasn't  learned 
how  to  lie;  that  is,  them  as  has  kept  away  from 
white  folks  hasn't.  As  for  that  young  man,  he  has 
an  honest  face,  and  I  believe  every  word  he  says. 
He'll  take  us  straight  to  Marse  Ralph,  I  know  he 
will." 

Comforted  by  this  assurance,  Anstice  crossed  the 
river  with  a  lighter  heart  than  she  had  known  for 
days.  When,  on  the  other  side,  and  mounted  on  a 
spirited  pony  she  was  allowed  to  dash  on  in  advance 
of  the  strange  cavalcade  that  followed  her,  she  be- 
gan to  experience  an  hitherto  unknown  thrill  of 
delight  in  the  wild  freedom  of  the  forest  life  un- 
folding before  her. 

Soon  after  leaving  the  river,  the  Indians  began 
to  divide  into  small  parties,  each  of  which  took  a 
different  direction,  thus  making  a  number  of  diver- 
gent trails  well  calculated  to  baffle  pursuit.  The 
negroes  also  separated  into  little  companies,  all  of 
which  were  to  be  guided  to  a  common  rendezvous, 
where,  under  the  leadership  of  old  Primus,  they 
promised  to  remain  until  "Marse"  Boyd  should 
again  return  to  the  plantation  and  send  for  them. 


102  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

Thus  Anstice  and  her  maid  finally  found  them- 
selves escorted  only  by  Coacoochee  and  two  other 
warriors.  Pushing  forward  with  all  speed,  this  little 
party  reached,  at  noon  of  the  second  day,  the  bank 
of  a  dark  stream  that  flowed  sluggishly  through  an 
almost  impenetrable  cypress  swamp.  One  of  the 
Indians  remained  here  with  the  horses,  while  the 
rest  of  the  party  embarked  in  one  of  several  canoes 
that  had  been  carefully  hidden  at  this  point. 

Urged  on  by  the  lusty  paddles  of  Coacoochee  and 
his  companion,  this  craft  proceeded  swiftly  for  nearly 
a  mile  up  the  shadowy  stream.  Not  even  the  noon- 
day sun  could  penetrate  the  dense  foliage  that  arched 
above  them.  Festoons  of  vines  depended  like  huge 
serpents  from  interlacing  branches,  and  funereal 
streamers  of  gray  moss  hung  motionless  in  the  stag- 
nant air.  The  black  waters  swarmed  with  great 
alligators,  that  showed  little  fear  of  the  canoe,  and 
gave  it  reluctant  passage.  Strange  birds,  water- 
turkeys  with  snake-like  necks,  red-billed  cormorants, 
purple  galinules,  and  long-legged  herons,  startled 
from  their  meditations  b}^  the  dip  of  paddles,  flapped 
heavily  up  stream  in  advance  of  the  oncoming  craft, 
with  discordant  cries. 

Upon  such  slender  threads  hang  the  fate  of  nations 
and  communities  as  well  as  that  of  individuals,  that, 
but  for  these  brainless  water-fowl,  flying  stupidly  up 
the  quiet  river  and  spreading  with  harsh  voices  the 
news  that  something  had  frightened  them,  the  whole 


A  SWAMP   STRONGHOLD   OF  THE   SEMINOLES      193 

course  of  the  Seminole  war  might  have  been  changed. 
As  it  was,  a  single  Indian,  who  was  cautiously  mak- 
ing his  way  down  stream  in  a  small  canoe,  hugging 
the  darkest  shadows,  and  casting  furtive  glances  on 
all  sides,  was  quick  to  make  use  of  the  information 
thus  furnished. 

As  the  squawking  birds  redoubled  their  cries  at 
sight  of  him,  he  turned  his  canoe  quickly  and  drove 
it  deep  in  among  the  cypresses  at  one  side,  so  that  it 
was  completely  hidden  from  the  view  of  any  who 
might  pass  up  or  down  the  river. 

This  Indian,  who  was  known  as  Chitta-lustee  (the 
black  snake),  had  hardly  gained  the  hiding-place 
from  which  he  peered  out  with  eager  eyes,  before  the 
craft  containing  Coacoochee  and  his  little  party 
swept  into  view  around  a  bend,  and  slipped  swiftly 
past  him.  The  keen  eye  of  the  young  war-chief 
did  not  fail  to  note  the  floating  bubbles  left  by  the 
paddle  of  the  spy,  but  attributed  them  to  an  alli- 
gator, or  to  some  of  the  innumerable  turtles  that 
were  constantly  plumping  into  the  water  from  half- 
submerged  logs  as  the  canoe  approached.  So  he 
paid  no  attention  to  them,  but  a  minute  later  guided 
his  slender  craft  across  the  river,  and  into  an  open- 
ing so  concealed  by  low-hanging  branches,  that  one 
unfamiliar  with  its  location  might  have  searched 
for  it  in  vain. 

This  was  what  Chitta-lustee  had  been  doing,  and 
for  the   discovery,  made   now  by  accident,  he  had 


194  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

been  promised  a  fabulous  reward  in  whiskey.  There 
were  renegades  among  the  Seminoles  as  well  as 
among  the  whites,  and  of  these  the  Black  Snake 
was  one.  Seduced  from  his  allegiance  to  those  of 
his  own  blood  by  an  unquenchable  thirst  for  the 
white  man's  fire-water,  he  had  sold  himself,  body  and 
soul,  to  the  enemies  of  his  race. 

General  Scott,  who  had  succeeded  to  the  command 
of  the  army  in  Florida,  was  bending  all  his  energies 
toward  breaking  up  the  Indian  strongholds  amid  the 
swampy  labyrinths  of  the  Withlacooch.ee.  Of  these, 
the  most  important  was  that  of  Osceola.  No  white 
man  had  ever  seen  it,  and  but  few  Seminoles  outside 
of  the  band  occupying  it  had  penetrated  its  mysteries. 
Therefore  the  entire  force  of  renegades,  friendly 
Indians  the  whites  called  them,  some  seventy  in 
number,  drawn  from  the  band  of  that  traitor  chief 
who  had  been  bribed  to  agree  to  removal,  were  now 
engaged  in  a  search  for  these  secluded  camps, 
while  liberal  rewards  had  been  promised  for  the 
discovery  of  any  one  of  them.  Goods  to  the  amount 
of  one  hundred  dollars,  and  one  of  the  chiefships 
from  which  General  Wiley  Thompson  had  deposed 
the  rightful  holders,  would  be  given  to  him  who 
should  lead  the  troops  to  the  stronghold  of  Osceola. 
Chitta-lustee  cared  little  for  the  honor  of  chiefship, 
but  dazzled  by  a  vision  of  one  hundred  dollars'  worth 
of  fire-water,  which  was  the  only  class  of  white 
man's  goods    for  which  he  longed,  he  made  up  his 


A  SWAMP   STRONGHOLD   OF  THE   SEMINOLES      195 

mind  to  discover  the  hidden   retreat  of   the   Baton 
Rouge,  or  perish  in  the  attempt. 

For  many  days  had  he  skulked  in  the  swamps, 
repeatedly  passing  the  concealed  entrance  to  which 
Coacoochee  had  now  unwittingly  guided  him,  with- 
out seeing  it.  As  he  noted  the  marks  by  which  it 
might  be  identified,  he  gloated  over  the  prize  that 
seemed  at  length  within  his  grasp  and  awaited  impa- 
tiently the  evening  shadows  that  should  enable  him 
to  make  further  explorations. 

In  the  meantime,  the  canoe  from  which  Anstice 
Boyd  was  casting  shuddering  glances  at  the  sombre 
scenes  about  her,  continued  for  a  short  distance  up 
a  serpentine  creek,  so  narrow  as  to  barely  afford 
it  passage,  and  was  finally  halted  beside  a  huge, 
moss-grown  log.  This,  half-buried  in  the  ooze  of 
the  swamp,  afforded  a  landing-place,  at  which  the 
party  disembarked.  .As  they  did  so,  Coacoochee 
turned  to  the  English  girl,  and  said: 

"  The  eye  of  the  Iste-hatke  has  never  looked  upon 
this  place.  Ralph  Boyd  knows  it  not,  for  he  was 
brought  here  in  darkness.  Will  my  sister  keep  its 
secret  hidden  deep  in  her  own  bosom,  where  no 
enemy  of  the  Iste-chatte  shall  ever  find  it  ?  " 

To  this  query  Anstice  replied:  "Coacoochee,  as 
you  deal  with  me,  so  will  I  deal  by  you.  Take  me 
in  safety  to  my  brother,  and  your  secret  shall  be 
safe  with  me  forever." 

"  Un-cah  !     It  is  good,"  replied  the  young  Indian. 


196  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND    GLADE 

"Now  let  us  go.  Step  only  where  I  step,  and  let 
the  black  girl  step  only  where  you  step,  for  the  trail 
is  narrow." 

And  narrow  it  proved.  Other  logs,  felled  at 
right  angles  to  the  first,  and  sunk  so  deep  in  treach- 
erous mud  that  their  upper  surface  was  often  under 
water,  formed  a  precarious  pathway  to  a  strip  of 
firmer  land.  This  natural  causeway,  to  step  from 
which  was  to  be  plunged  in  mud  as  black  and  soft 
as  tar,  besides  being  almost  as  tenacious,  led  for 
nearly  half  a  mile  to  an  island  that  rose  abruptly 
from  the  surrounding  swamp. 

This  island  was  apparently  completely  covered 
with  an  impenetrable  growth  of  timber  and  under- 
brush laced  together  by  a  myriad  of  thorny  vines. 
The  only  trail  by  which  the  formidable  barricade 
might  be  penetrated  was  not  opposite  the  end  of  the 
causeway,  but  lay  at  some  distance,  to  one  side,  where 
it  was  carefully  concealed  from  all  but  those  who 
would  die  rather  than  reveal  its  secret.  Even  when 
it  was  once  entered,  its  windings  were  not  easy 
to  trace.  But  its  perplexities  were  short,  and 
after  a  few  rods  the  pathway  ended  abruptly  in  a 
scene  so  foreign  to  that  from  which  it  started,  that 
it  seemed  to  belong  to  another  world.  Instead  of 
the  funereal  gloom,  the  slime,  the  rank  growth,  and 
crowding  horrors  of  the  great  swamp,  here  was  a 
cleared  space,  acres  in  extent,  bathed  in  sunlight, 
and  alive  with  cheerful  human  activity. 


A  SWAMP  STRONGHOLD   OF   THE   SEMINOLES      197 

On  the  highest  point  of  land,  beneath  a  chimp  of 
stately  trees,  stood  a  cluster  of  palmetto-thatched 
huts,  some  open  on  all  sides,  and  others  enclosed; 
but  all  raised  a  foot  or  two  from  the  ground,  so  as 
to  allow  of  a  free  circulation  of  air  beneath  them. 
In  and  about  these  swarmed  a  happy,  busy  popula- 
tion. Warriors,  whose  naked  limbs  exhibited  the 
firm  outlines  of  bronze  statues,  cleaned  or  mended 
their  weapons.  Groups  of  laughing  women,  cleanly 
in  person,  attractive  to  look  upon,  and  modestly  clad, 
prepared  food  or  engaged  in  other  domestic  duties  ; 
while  rollicking  bands  of  chubby  children  shouted 
shrilly  over  games  that  differed  little  from  those  of 
other  children  all  over  the  world.  Stretching  away 
from  the  village  were  broad  fields  of  corn  and  cane, 
amid  which  yams,  pumpkins,  and  melons  grew  with 
wonderful  luxuriance.  These  fields  were  cared  for 
by  negroes,  who  dwelt  in  their  own  quarters,  and 
worked  the  productive  land  on  shares,  that  fre- 
quently brought  larger  returns  to  them  than  to  the 
red-skinned  proprietors  of  the  soil. 

This  was  the  swamp  stronghold  of  Osceola,  to 
which  Coacoochee  and  Louis  had  retreated  after 
the  battle  of  the  Withlacoochee,  bringing  with  them 
the  unconscious  form  of  Ralph  Boyd,  the  English- 
man friend  of  the  enslaved  and  champion  of  the 
oppressed. 

In  common  with  most  of  the  whites,  this  young 
man  had  underrated  both  the  numbers  and  courage 


198  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

of  the  Seminoles,  and  had  not  believed  they  would 
dare  fight,  even  for  their  homes,  against  United 
States  troops.  It  was  only  upon  penetrating  their 
country  with  General  Clinch's  army  that  Ralph 
Boyd  realized  how  bitter  was  to  be  the  struggle 
and  that  it  was  already  begun.  He  had  been  shot 
down  quite  early  in  the  battle  at  the  river-crossing 
and  lay  on  the  field  unnoticed  until  found  by  the 
one  Indian  who  was  inclined  to  save  his  life  rather 
than  take  it. 

When  the  wounded  man  next  opened  his  eyes, 
he  found  himself  lying  on  a  couch  of  softest  skins, 
amid  surroundings  so  foreign  to  anything  he  had 
ever  known  that  for  awhile  he  was  confident  he  was 
dreaming.  Then  as  the  well-remembered  form  of 
Coacoochee  bent  anxiously  over  him,  a  memory  of 
recent  events  flashed  into  his  mind.  He  realized 
that  an  Indian  war  with  all  its  attendant  horrors  was 
sweeping  over  the  land,  and  recalled  the  fact  that 
his  sister  Anstice  was  alone  and  unprotected  on  the 
plantation  by  the  St.  John's.  Weakly  he  strove  to 
rise,  but  fell  back  with  a  groan. 

"  My  brother  must  rest,"  said  Coacoochee,  chid- 
ingly.  "  He  is  among  friends,  and  there  is  no  cause 
for  uneasiness.  Here  there  is  no  white  man  to  shoot 
him  from  behind." 

"  I  care  not  for  myself,"  murmured  the  sufferer. 
"  It  is  my  sister,  left  without  one  to  protect  her  or 
guide  her  to  a  place  of  safety.     I  must  go  to  her. " 


A  SWAMP  STRONGHOLD  OF  THE   SEMINOLES       199 

Again  lie  attempted  to  rise,  but  was  gently  re- 
strained by  the  young  Indian,  who  'said  : 

"  Let  not  my  brother  be  troubled.  Coacoochee 
will  go  in  his  place  and  guide  the  white  maiden  to 
a  safe  shelter." 

"Will  you,  Coacoochee?  Will  you  do  this  thing 
for  me?  "  exclaimed  Boyd,  a  faint  color  flushing  his 
pale  cheeks. 

"  Un-cah,"  answered  the  young  war-chief.  "  This 
very  hour  will  I  go,  and  when  I  come  again  I  will 
bring  a  token  from  the  white  maiden  who  dwells 
by  the  great  river." 


CHAPTER   XXVI 

TWO   SPIES   AND   THEIR   FATE 

Coacoochee  had  fulfilled  his  promise,  and  con- 
ducted the  sister  of  his  friend  to  a  place  of  safety. 
As  he  entered  the  village  followed  closely  "by  the 
first  white  girl  that  many  of  its  inmates  had  ever 
seen,  they  gazed  wonderingly  and  in  silence  at  the 
unaccustomed  spectacle.  Even  the  voices  of  the 
children  were  so  suddenly  hushed  that  Ralph  Boyd, 
tossing  wearily  on  his  narrow  couch  in  one  of  the 
enclosed  huts,  noted  the  quick  cessation  of  sounds 
to  which  he  had  become  wonted,  and  awaited  its 
explanation  with  nervous  impatience.  The  old 
Indian  woman  who  acted  as  his  nurse  stepped  out- 
side, and  for  the  moment  he  was  alone.  Filled  with 
an  intense  desire  to  know  what  was  taking  place, 
the  wounded  man  strove  to  rise,  with  the  intention 
of  crawling  to  the  door  of  the  hut;  but  ere  he  could 
carry  out  his  design,  the  curtain  of  deerskins  that 
closed  it  was  thrust  aside,  and  Coacoochee  stood 
before  him. 

With  a  feeble  shout  of  joy  at  sight  of  his  friend, 
the  sufferer  exclaimed  tremulously:  "Is  she  safe? 
Have  you  brought  a  token  from  her  ?  " 

200 


TWO   SPIES  AND   THEIR   FATE  201 

"  The  white  maiden  is  safe,  and  I  have  brought  a 
token,"  answered  the  young  Indian,  proudly. 

As  he  spoke,  he  moved  aside,  and  in  another  mo- 
ment Anstice  Boyd,  sobbing  for  joy,  was  kneeling 
beside  her  brother,  with  her  arms  about  his  neck. 

From  that  moment  Ralph  Boyd's  recovery  was 
sure  and  rapid,  for  there  are  no  more  certain  cures 
for  any  wound  than  careful  nursing  and  a  relief 
from  anxiety.  Within  a  week  he  was  not  only  able 
to  sit  up,  but  to  take  short  walks  about  the  village, 
the  strange  life  of  which  he  studied  with  never- 
failing  interest.  So  well  ordered  and  peaceful  was 
it,  so  filled  with  cheerful  industry,  that  it  was  diffi- 
cult to  believe  it  a  dwelling-place  of  those  who  were 
even  then  engaged  in  fighting  for  their  homes  and 
rights.  But  evidences  that  such  was  the  case  were 
visible  on  all  sides.  War-parties  were  constantly 
going  and  coming.  Osceola,  now  head  chief  of  this 
particular  band,  and  one  of  the  leading  spirits  of  the 
war,  was  away  most  of  the  time,  hovering  about  the 
flanks  of  some  army,  cutting  off  their  supplies,  kill- 
ing, burning,  and  destroying  ;  here  to-day,  and  far 
away  to-morrow,  spreading  everywhere  the  terror 
of  his  name. 

Coacoochee  would  fain  have  been  engaged  in  simi- 
lar service;  but  his  own  band  of  warriors  under  the 
temporary  leadership  of  Louis  Pacheco,  was  operating 
far  to  the  eastward,  between  the  St.  John's  and  the 
coast,   while   he   felt    pledged    to   remain   with   his 


202  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

white  friends  until  Ralph  Boyd  could  be  removed  to 
a  place  of  greater  safety.  He  feared  to  leave  them  ; 
for  among  the  inmates  of  the  camp  were  certain 
vindictive  spirits  who  so  hungered  for  white  scalps 
that  they  made  frequent  threats  of  what  would  hap- 
,pen  to  the  brother  and  sister,  whom  they  regarded 
as  captives,  in  case  they  had  their  way  with  them. 
So  the  young  war-chief  restrained  his  longings  for 
more  active  service,  and  devoted  himself  to  collecting 
great  quantities  of  corn  and  other  supplies,  which  he 
stored  in  this  swamp  stronghold  for  future  use. 

When  not  waiting  on  her  brother,  Anstice  amused 
herself  by  observing  the  domestic  life  of  the  village 
and  in  cultivating  an  acquaintance  among  its  women 
and  children.  -  The  former  were  so  shy  that  she 
made  but  little  headway  with  them.  In  fact,  her 
maid  Letty  was  far  more  popular  among  the  Ind- 
ian women  than  she.  With  the  children,  however, 
Anstice  became  an  object  for  adoration  almost  from 
the  moment  of  her  appearance  among  them.  So 
devoted  were  they  to  her  that  she  could  not  walk 
abroad  without  an  attendant  throng  of  sturdy  ur- 
chins or  naked  toddlers. 

One  drowsy  afternoon,  leaving  her  brother  asleep 
in  a  hammock  woven  of  tough  swamp  grasses,  An- 
stice, accompanied  by  her  usual  escort  of  children 
and  with  a  slim  little  maiden  clinging  to  each 
hand,  visited  a  dense  thicket  near  the  pathway 
leading  out  to  the  great  swamp,  in  search  of  bead- 


TWO   SPIES  AND   THEIR  FATE  203 

like  palmetto  berries,  which  she  proposed  to  string 
into  necklaces.  Seating  herself  on  the  edge  of  the 
forest  growth,  she  despatched  several  of  the  chil- 
dren in  search  of  the  coveted  berries.  Diving  under 
the  bushes  and  threading  their  tangled  mazes  like 
so  many  quail,  these  quickly  disappeared  from  view, 
though  shouts  of  laughter  plainly  indicated  their 
movements. 

Suddenly  a  scream  of  childish  terror  was  uttered 
close  at  hand,  and  a  little  lad,  trembling  with,  fright, 
came  running  back  to  where  Anstice  was  sitting. 
Filled  with  a  dread  of  wild  beasts  or  deadly  ser- 
pents, the  girl  sprang  to  her  feet,  and  making  use 
of  the  few  Seminole  words  she  had  acquired  while 
in  the  village,  called  loudly  : 

"  At-tess-cha,  che-paw-ne  !  At-tess-cha,  mas- 
tchay!"  (Come  here,  boys!  come  here  quickly!) 
The  quality  of  terror  in  her  voice  rather  than  the 
words  themselves  must  have  attracted  attention, 
for  while  there  came  no  answer,  the  children's 
shouts  were  suddenly  hushed.  Each  embryo  war- 
rior dropped  to  the  ground  where  he  was,  and 
like  hunted  rabbits,  lay  motionless,  but  keenly 
alert,  until  they  should  learn  from  which  direction 
danger  might  be  expected.  Those  who  had  re- 
mained with  Anstice  clung  to  her  skirts,  and  the 
urchin  who  had  given  the  alarm  glanced  fearfully 
behind  him. 

As  the  girl  stood  irresolute,  there  came  a  move- 


204  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

ment  in  the  bushes  close  at  hand.  Then  to  her 
amazement,  her  name  was  called  softly,  but  in  a 
voice  whose  accents  she  would  have  recognized 
anywhere  and  under  all  circumstances.  It  needed 
not  the  parting  of  the  leafy  screen  and  a  glimpse 
of  the  anxious  face  behind  it,  to  tell  her  that  Irwin 
Douglass,  the  lieutenant  of  dragoons,  who  had  so 
often  shared  the  hospitality  of  her  brother's  table, 
had,  by  some  inconceivable  means,  penetrated  the 
secrets  of  this  Indian  stronghold  and  ventured 
within  its  deadly  confines. 

"  Oh,  Mr.  Douglass  !  "  she  cried,  in  a  voice  trem- 
bling with  apprehension.  "  How  came  you  here  ? 
Do  you  not  realize  your  awful  peril  ?  You  will 
be  killed  if  you  stay  a  minute  longer  !  Fly,  then ! 
Fly,  I  beg  of  you,  while  there  is  yet  time." 

"  But,  Miss  Boyd !  Anstice  !  why  are  you  here  in- 
stead of  safe  in  Augustine  as  we  thought  ?  Are  you 
not  in  equal,  or  even  in  greater,  peril?  Come  with 
me,  and  I  will  gladly  beat  a  retreat,  but  I  cannot  leave 
you  to  the  mercy  of  the  savages.  This  place  is  in- 
fested by  an  overwhelming  force  of  troops,  who  only 
await  my  return  to  make  an  attack.  The  Indians 
will  surely  kill  you  rather  than  allow  you  to  be  res- 
cued." 

"  No  !  No  !  I  am  in  no  peril !  "  replied  the  agitated 
girl.  "I  am  here  of  my  own  free  will,  and  shall  be 
safe  in  any  event.  But  you  !  If  you  value  your  life ! 
If  you  love  —  " 


TWO   SPIES  AND  THEIR  FATE  205 

Just  then  two  grim  warriors  appeared  as  though 
they  had  dropped  from  the  sky,  one  on  either  side  of 
Douglass,  and  in  spite  of  a  mighty  struggle  for  free- 
dom, made  him  their  prisoner.  One  of  the  children 
had  sped  to  the  village.  Coacoochee,  with  several 
followers,  had  taken  the  trail,  and  closed  in  from  two 
sides  on  Anstice  and  the  lieutenant,  while  they  were 
too  full  of  amazement  at  each  other's  presence  in  that 
place  to  note  the  stealthy  approach. 

As  two  of  the  Indians  seized  the  young  officer, 
the  others  sprang  after  a  retreating  form  they  had 
just  discovered  skulking  through  the  forest.  It  was 
that  of  Chitta-lustee,  the  spy,  who  had  carried  the 
news  of  his  finding  of  this  stronghold  to  Fort  King. 
From  there  he  had  guided  a  body  of  troops  back  to 
the  log  landing,  whence  he  had  been  sent,  in  com- 
pany with  Lieutenant  Douglass,  to  note  the  exact 
state  of  affairs  in  the  village  before  an  attack  should 
be  ordered.  Together  they  had  crept  undetected  to 
a  place  from  which  they  could  command  a  fair  view 
of  the  village,  and  estimate  the  force  of  its  defenders, 
which  at  that  moment  did  not  number  more  than  a 
dozen  warriors. 

The  spies  were  about  to  retire  from  their  danger- 
ous position  when  prevented  by  the  approach  of 
Anstice  and  her  retinue  of  children.  One  of  these 
had  chanced  upon  their  hiding-place,  and  while 
Douglass  pleaded  with  the  English  girl  to  seize  this 
opportunity  for  escape  from  what  he  imagined  to  be 


206  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

a  terrible  captivity,  his  companion  was  trying  to 
secure  his  own  safety  by  slowly  and  noiselessly 
creeping  away.  He  had  gained  a  fair  distance,  and 
was  beginning  to  move  more  rapidly,  when  discovered 
by  Coacoochee,  who,  followed  by  the  other  warriors, 
immediately  sprang  in  pursuit. 

Down  to  the  edge  of  the  swamp  and  out  on  the 
narrow  causeway  fled  the  spy,  and  after  him,  like 
hound  in  full  view  of  his  quarry,  leaped  the  avenger. 
It  was  a  terrible  race  along  that  slender  path,  slip- 
pery with  slime  and  water.  Chitta-lustee  flung 
away  his  rifle,  and,  with  breath  coming  in  panting 
gasps,  ran  for  his  life.  A  few  rods  more,  and  he 
would  be  safe. 

Coacoochee,  reckless  of  consequences,  and  filled 
with  a  fierce  determination  to  destroy,  at  all  haz- 
ards, this  most  dangerous  enemy  of  his  people,  only 
clenched  his  teeth  more  tightly,  and  leaped  forward 
with  an  increase  of  speed,  as  he  detected  a  glint  of 
weapons  directly  ahead,  and  realized  that  the  farther 
end  of  the  causeway  was  already  occupied  by  troops. 
He  bore  only  a  light  spear  that  he  had  snatched  up 
at  the  first  alarm,  and,  with  all  his  skill,  he  must  be 
at  least  within  twenty  yards  of  a  mark  ere  he  could 
hurl  it  effectively. 

He  was  still  one  hundred  yards  away,  and  now  he 
could  distinguish  the  uniforms  of  those  who  were 
advancing  to  meet  the  panting  fugitive.  Those 
who  followed  the  young  chief  were  halting  doubt- 


TWO   SPIES   AND   THEIR  FATE  207 

fully.  To  them  it  seemed  that  he  was  rushing 
toward  certain  destruction.  They  could  not  restrain 
him.  To  follow  his  example  and  throw  their  lives 
away  uselessly  would  be  worse  than  folly.  So  they 
stayed  their  steps,  and  watched  the  fearful  race  with 
fascinated  gaze. 

Only  for  a  moment,  and  then  all  was  over.  Chitta- 
lustee  slipped  and  stumbled  on  one  of  the  water- 
soaked  logs  at  the  end  of  the  causeway.  As  he 
recovered  himself,  there  came  a  flash  of  darting  steel, 
and  the  keen  blade  of  a  hurtling  spear,  flung  with 
the  utmost  of  Coacoochee's  nervous  strength,  sunk 
deep  between  his  shoulders.  With  a  choking  cry, 
and  out-flung  arms,  the  traitor  pitched  headlong 
into  the  black  waters,  and  disappeared  forever,  while 
cries  of  horror  came  from  the  advancing  soldiers 
whose  protection  he  had  so  nearly  gained. 

Even  as  the  young  war-chief  delivered  his  deadly 
blow,  and  without  waiting  to  note  its  effect,  he 
turned  and  fled  toward  his  own  people.  A  dozen 
angry  rifles  rang  out  behind  him,  and  the  whole 
swamp  echoed  with  fierce  yells  from  the  enraged 
soldiers,  but  no  bullet  struck  him,  and  no  taunt 
served  to  stay  his  steps. 

The  three  Indians  fled  swiftly  as  hunted  deer,  back 
along  the  treacherous  trail,  while  the  troops  followed 
with  what  speed  they  might.  It  was  so  difficult  a 
path,  and  so  dangerous,  and  the  heavy-booted  sol- 
diers   slipped  from  its  narrow  verge  so  often,  that 


208  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

those  whom  they  pursued  reached  the  island  and 
disappeared  among  its  thickets  ere  they  had  more 
than  started.  Then  back  through  the  heavy  air 
came  mockingly  and  defiantly  the  Seminole  war- 
cry  : 

"  Yo-ho-ee  yo-ho-ee  yo-ho-ee-chee  !  " 

Thus  they  knew  that  a  surprise  of  the  strong- 
hold they  had  so  labored  to  gain  was  no  longer 
possible. 

Still  with  a  courage  worthy  of  a  nobler  cause 
the  troops  pushed  forward,  unguided  save  by  in- 
stinct and  a  burning  desire  to  avenge  the  death  of 
their  well-loved  lieutenant,  whom  they  supposed  the 
savages  had  already  killed.  V/ith  all  their  efforts  it 
was  a  full  half -hour  ere  the  advance  drew  near  to 
the  wooded  island  that  rose  silent  and  mysterious 
before  them,  and  they  began  to  feel  firmer  ground 
beneath  their  feet. 

Before  they  reached  its  encircling  forest  wall, 
flashes  of  flame  began  to  leap  from  the  dark  thickets, 
and  before  the  deadly  fire  of  an  unseen  foe  the  ad- 
vance was  staggered  and  halted.  It  was  only  for  a 
moment,  and  then  they  sprang  forward  with  a  cheer 
to  charge  the  fatal  barricade. 

A  dozen  troopers  had  fallen  ere  the  Indian  fire 
was  silenced,  and  as  yet  the  soldiers  had  not  caught 
a  glimpse  of  their  foe.  .  In  the  thickset  undergrowth 
they  were  tripped  and  flung  to  the  ground  by  snake- 
like roots,  encircled  and  held  fast  by  tough  vines, 


TWO   SPIES  AND   THEIR  FATE  209 

clutched  and  drawn  backward  by  stout  thorns  curved 
and  sharp  as  a  tiger's  claws.  No  human  being  save  a 
naked  Indian  could  thread  that  forest  maze,  and  as 
the  soldiers  could  discover  no  opening  through  it, 
they  decided  to  make  one.  Swords,  axes,  and  knives 
were  called  into  requisition.  Every  now  and  then  a 
rifle  shot  from  the  unseen  foe  proved  the  Indians  to 
be  still  watchful  and  defiant. 

It  was  not  until  another  half -hour  had  been  ex- 
pended in  this  exhausting  effort  at  road-cutting  that 
the  trail  lying  well  to  one  side  was  discovered. 

Wearied  by  their  futile  efforts,  made  furious  by  op- 
position, and  galled  by  the  fire  from  unseen  rifles  that 
had  been  steadily  thinning  their  numbers  ever  since 
they  reached  the  island,  the  troops  rushed  with  fierce 
shouts  to  the  opening,  streamed  through  it,  and 
gained  the  central,  cleared  space  in  which  stood  the 
Seminole  village.  Here,  for  a  moment,  the  tumul- 
tuous advance  was  checked,  and  each  man  clutched 
his  weapon  with  a  closer  grip,  in  expectation  of  an 
attack. 

But  none  was  made.  The  peaceful  village,  all 
aglow  with  the  light  of  a  setting  sun,  was  silent  and 
deserted.  No  voices  came  from  it,  nor  from  the 
broad  fields  that  lay  clothed  in  luxuriant  verdure 
beyond.  There  was  no  sound  of  busy  workers,  no 
laughter  of  children.  A  raven  with  glossy  plumage, 
iridescent  in  the  sunlight,  croaked  a  hoarse  challenge 
from  a  lofty  tree-top,  and  a  solitary  buzzard  circled 


210  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

overhead  on  motionless  pinions,  but  no  other  signs 
of  life  were  to  be  detected. 

After  a  minute  of  irresolution  Captain  Chase,  the 
officer  in  command  of  the  expedition,  deployed  his 
men  as  skirmishers,  and  was  about  to  give  the  order 
"  Forward  !  "  when  this  strange  thing  happened  : 

From  one  of  the  thatched  huts  of  the  village  three 
human  beings  emerged  and  advanced  slowly  toward 
the  motionless  line  of  soldiers.  Two  were  men,  evi- 
dently white  men,  and  one  of  these  wore  a  uniform. 
Between  them  walked  a  young  girl  whose  shapely 
head  was  crowned  with  a  mass  of  gold-red  hair.  As 
she  drew  near,  a  murmur  of  admiration  at  her  beauty 
passed  along  the  stern  line  of  blue-coated  troops. 
Then  an  irrepressible  tumult  of  cheers  rent  the  air, 
for  in  one  of  the  girl's  companions  the  soldiers  rec- 
ognized their  own  beloved  lieutenant,  Irwin  Doug- 
lass. But  curiosity  got  the  better  of  enthusiasm, 
and  as  the  noise  subsided,  each  trooper  waited  in 
breathless  silence  for  an  explanation  of  this  strange 
encounter. 


CHAPTER   XXVII 

ANSTICE   BOYD   SAVES   THE   LIFE   OF   A   CAPTIVE 

While  Coacoochee  was  engaged  in  his  fierce 
pursuit  of  the  traitor  Seminole  across  the  black 
causeway,  Irwin  Douglass  was  led  to  the  village, 
where  he  was  securely  bound  to  one  of  the  great 
trees  by  which  it  was  shaded.  Here  his  captors 
left  him,  and  seizing  their  rifles  hastened  back  to 
the  edge  of  the  swamp. 

The  moment  Anstice  realized  that  the  young 
soldier,  though  a  captive,  was  not  doomed  to  instant 
death,  she  flew  back  to  the  hut  occupied  by  her 
brother,  whom  she  found  still  quietly  sleeping  in 
bis  grass-woven  hammock.  Roused  into  a  startled 
wakefulness  by  her  abrupt  entrance,  the  convales- 
cent was  for  some  moments  at  a  loss  to  compre- 
hend what  she  was  saying  or  what  had  caused  her 
excitement. 

"  Who  do  you  say  is  captured  ?  and  what  has 
happened,  dear,  to  frighten  you?"  he  asked,  in  a 
bewildered  tone. 

"  Irwin  Douglass,  and  they  are  going  to  kill  him, 
and  the  village  is  about  to  be  attacked,  and  we  shall 
all  be  murdered  !  "  cried  the  terrified  girl. 

211 


212  THROUGH   SWAMP   AND   GLADE 

" Douglass  captured  and  about  to  be  killed? 
Impossible  !  "  exclaimed  Boyd,  rising  and  starting 
toward  the  doorway.  "  But  I  will  go  and  see. 
Surely  Coacoochee  would  never  murder  a  prisoner 
in  cold  blood.  As  for  ourselves,  you  know  we  are 
safe  so  long  as  we  are  his  guests.  Wait  here,  sister, 
and  I  will  bring  Douglass  back  with  me,  if,  as  you 
say,  he  is  in  the  village." 

But  the  frightened  girl  clung  to  him  and  would 
not  be  left.  So  they  set  forth  together,  and  had 
hardly  gained  the  outer  air  before  a  sound  of  firing 
from  the  causeway  warned  them  that  fighting  of 
some  sort  was  begun.  The  same  sounds  created 
vast  excitement  among  the  inmates  of  the  village, 
and  the  crowd  of  negroes,  who,  at  the  first  note  of 
alarm,  had  come  swarming  up  from  the  fields. 
These  so  occupied  the  entire  foreground  that  the 
brother  and  sister  could  get  no  sight  of  him  whom 
they  sought.  Neither  was  their  friend  the  young 
war-chief  to  be  seen.  They  attempted  to  make 
way  through  the  throng,  but  were  impatiently 
pushed  back,  the  crowd  scowling  and  muttering 
at  them  angrily. 

One  huge,  coal-black  negro  even  advanced  upon 
them  with  a  drawn  knife  and  so  ugly  an  expression, 
that  Ralph  Boyd  instinctively  thrust  his  sister  be- 
hind him,  and  nerved  himself  to  receive  an  attack. 
Unarmed  and  weakened  by  illness  as  he  was,  the 
outcome  of  such  a  struggle  could  readily  be  foreseen, 


ANSTICE  BOYD   SAVES  LIFE   OF  A  CAPTIVE      213 

and  the  white  man  east  a  despairing  glance  about 
him  in  search  of  some  weapon.  There  was  none, 
and  the  gleaming  knife  was  already  uplifted  for  a 
deadly  stroke,  when,  with  a  shrill  cry,  a  black 
woman  sprang  betwixt  the  two,  snatched  the  knife 
from  the  negro's  hand,  and  flourishing  it  in  his  face, 
poured  out  such  a  furious  torrent  of  angry,  scorn- 
ful, and  threatening  words,  that  the  brute  slunk 
away  from  her,  completely  cowed. 

Now,  turning  and  almost  pushing  Boyd  and  his 
sister  before  her,  Letty  —  for  the  black  Amazon  was 
no  other  than  Anstice's  own  maid  —  succeeded  in 
getting  them  back  inside  the  hut  before  their  assail- 
ant had  time  to  rally  from  his  discomfiture.  Then, 
still  clutching  the  knife  she  had  so  adroitly  captured, 
the  black  girl  stood  guard  before  the  entrance,  deaf 
alike  to  those  of  her  own  color,  who  taunted  her  with 
being  a  traitor  to  her  race,  and  to  the  entreaties  of 
her  young  mistress,  that  she  should  attempt  a  rescue 
of  the  prisoner  about  whom  the  crowd  of  Indian 
women  and  negroes  still  swarmed. 

"Cayn't  do  it,  Miss  Anstice,"  replied  the  black  girl, 
firmly,  but  without  turning  her  head.  "I'se  powerful 
sorry  for  Marse  Douglass,  but  when  it's  him  or  you, 
I  know  which  one  I'se  bound  to  look  after. " 
"  But,  Letty,  they  will  murder  him  !  " 
"No,  Miss  Anstice,  not  till  Coacoochee  says  so. 
They  das'n't  kill  him,  not  till  the  chief  gives  the 
word." 


214  THROUGH   SWAMP   AND   GLADE 

"  But  supposing  Coacoochee  does  not  come  ?  He 
may  be  killed  or  captured  himself,  you  know." 

"  There  ain't  no  use  speculating  on  that,  Miss  An- 
stice,  because  he's  come  already.  I  can  see  him  out 
there  now,  talking  to  the  crowd.  Looks  like  he's  in 
a  powerful  hurry,  too,  and  I  spec's  the  end  of  time 
has  come  for  poor  Marse  Douglass.  Oh  Lord,  Miss 
Anstice  !     Stop  up  your  ears,  quick  !  " 

At  these  ominous  words,  the  brave  English  girl, 
instead  of  complying,  darted  from  the  hut  so  swiftly, 
that  ere  Letty  could  interfere  to  prevent  her,  she  had 
gained  the  centre  of  the  village.  There  she  came 
upon  a  scene  well  calculated  to  freeze  the  blood  in 
her  veins.  Irwin  Douglass,  bound  to  a  tree,  with  his 
pale,  resolute  face  turned  toward  the  setting  sun, 
gazed  with  unflinching  calmness  into  the  black 
muzzles  of  four  levelled  rifles,  that  in  another  mo- 
ment would  pour  their  deadly  contents  into  his 
body.  The  pitiless  warriors  who  held  them,  and 
only  awaited  a  signal  from  their  young  chief  to 
press  the  fatal  triggers,  scanned  the  face  of  their 
victim  in  vain  for  the  faintest  trace  of  fear.  There 
was  none ;  and  they  were  filled  with  regrets  that 
so  brave  a  man  could  not  be  reserved  for  a  more 
lingering  and  trying  form  of  death.  But  there  was 
no  time  to  spare.  The  soldiers  were  even  now  upon 
them,  and  whatever  was  to  be  done  must  be  done 
quickly.  Already  murmurs  of  impatience  could  be 
heard  among  the  spectators. 


ANSTICE   BOYD   SAVES   LIFE   OF   A   CAPTIVE      215 

As  Coacoocliee  was  about  to  give  the  dread  com- 
mand, there  came  a  quick  rush,  and  the  girlish  figure 
of  Anstice  Boyd  stood  full  in  front  of  the  cruel  rifles, 
between  them  and  their  human  mark.  Her  wonder- 
ful hair,  half  loosed  from  its  coil,  glinted  like  spun 
gold  in  the  red  sunlight.  Her  eyes  were  big  with 
terror,  and  her  face  was  bloodless,  but  her  voice  rang 
out  clear  and  strong,  as  she  cried: 

"  Coacoocliee,  you  must  not  do  this  thing  !  You 
dare  not  !  " 

"He  is  an  enemy,"  answered  the  young  chief, 
calmly ;  and  without  betraying  his  annoyance  at 
this  interruption.  "  If  we  should  not  kill  him,  he 
would  kill  us." 

"He  might  in  battle  or  in  fair  fight,  but  he 
would  never  shoot  down  a  helpless  prisoner,"  replied 
the  girl,  in  scornful  tones.  "  Set  him  free,  place  a 
weapon  in  his  hands,  and  fight  him  man  to  man,  if 
you  dare." 

"  Gladly  would  I,"  answered  the  young  Seminole, 
"if  there  was  time,  but  there  is  not.  Thy  people 
have  hunted  us  like  wolves  to  our  den,  and  even 
now  are  upon  us.  In  another  minute  must  we  fly 
for  our  lives.  Our  friends  we  can  leave  to  their 
friends.  Our  captive  we  cannot  take,  and  dare  not 
release.  He  is  a  spy.  The  white  man  puts  a  spy  to 
death  ;  why  should  not  the  Indian  ?  Coacoocliee  has 
spoken.  The  spy  must  die.  Let  my  white  sister 
stand  aside." 


216  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

Very  stern  was  the  young  war-chief,  and  very 
determined.  A  murmur  of  approbation  rose  from 
the  dusky  throng  about  him  as  his  words  fell  upon 
their  ears. 

A  wave  of  despair  surged  over  Anstice  Boyd. 
Her  face  flushed,  then  became  deadly  pale.  Her 
voice  was  well-nigh  choked  as  she  answered : 

"  Then,  oh,  Coacoochee,  if  you  will  not  yield  to 
the  dictates  of  humanity,  still  listen  to  me.  In  the 
name  of  Allala,  thy  spirit  sister,  in  the  name  of  her 
who  still  lives,  and  is  most  dear  to  thee,  in  the  name 
of  Ralph  Boyd,  who,  by  his  deeds,  has  proved  him- 
self thy  friend,  I  plead  for  this  man's  life.  If  this 
is  not  enough,  I  demand  it  for  yet  another  reason." 
Here,  with  face  crimsoned  like  the  rising  sun,  the 
girl  stepped  close  to  the  young  chief,  and  spoke  a 
few  words  in  a  tone  so  low  that  none  but  he  could 
catch  their  import. 

His  stern  face  softened,  and  for  a  moment  he 
looked  curiously  at  her.  Then  drawing  his  own 
silver-mounted  knife  from  its  sheath,  he  handed  it 
to  her,  saying : 

"  The  words  of  the  white  maiden  have  sunk  deep 
into  the  heart  of  Coacoochee.  Let  her  lead  him 
whom  she  has  saved  to  the  lodge  of  her  brother. 
Keep  him  there,  close  hidden  from  my  people,  so 
long  as  a  voice  is  heard  in  this  place.  Then,  and 
not  till  then,  will  it  be  safe  for  the  Iste-hatke  to 
venture  forth.     Farewell,    my   sister  I     Thank   not 


a  o  < 


ANSTICE   BOYD   SAVES  LIFE   OF  A  CAPTIVE      217 

the  wild  cat  that  his  claws  are  sheathed.  Thank 
rather  Allala,  Nita,  and  Ralph  Boyd.  Hi-e-pas! 
Hi-e-pas  !  " 

The  last  two  words  were  uttered  in  ringing  tones 
of  command  to  his  own  people,  and,  supplemented 
as  they  were  by  a  crashing  volley  of  musketry  from 
the  edge  of  the  swamp,  they  produced  an  instant 
effect. 

Although  many  glances  of  hate  were  flashed  at 
the  white  girl  and  the  prisoner,  whom  she  freed 
from  his  bonds  with  two  strokes  of  Coacoochee's 
keen  knife,  they  were  allowed  to  pass  unharmed  to 
the  hut  occupied  by  Ralph  Boyd.  He  walked  with 
them  ;  for,  without  his  sister's  knowledge,  he  had 
stood  close  by  her  side  while  she  pleaded  for  the 
life  of  Irwin  Douglass,  ready  to  strike  a  blow  in 
her  defence,  or  to  share  her  fate. 

The  three  entered  the  hut  together,  and  as  its 
curtain  of  deerskin  was  drawn  so  as  to  exclude  all 
prying  eyes,  the  overwrought  girl  fell  into  her 
brother's  arms,  weeping  hysterically.  The  young 
soldier,  who  but  a  moment  before  stood  within  the 
shadow  of  death,  gazed  curiously  and  awkwardly 
for  a  second  on  this  scene,  and  then  turning  away, 
sat  down  with  his  face  buried  in  his  hands. 

Ralph  Boyd  sought  to  calm  his  brave  sister 
with  loving  words.  So  filled  was  each  of  the  three 
with  crowding  emotions  that  they  took  no  note  of 
time  nor  of  outside  sounds,  until  at  length  the  girl 


218  THROUGH  SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

ceased  her  sobbing  and  gazed  with  a  smile  into  her 
brother's  face.  Then,  with  a  weight  lifted  from 
his  heart,  he  began  to  talk  to  her  in  a  cheerful 
strain. 

"  It  was  nobly  done,  sister  mine,"  he  said,  "  and 
as  a  special  pleader  I  will  name  you  before  any 
barrister  in  the  land.  What  argument,  though,  was 
it  you  used  at  the  last  ?  I  failed  to  catch  the  words, 
but  they  must  have  been  of  powerful  force." 

Again  a  tide  of  crimson  mantled  the  girl's  fair 
cheeks,  as  she  replied :  "  Coacoochee  knows,  and  I 
know ;  but  let  it  suffice  you,  brother,  that  they 
were  effective  ;  for  more  than  that  I  can  never 
tell." 

At  this  juncture,  the  young  soldier,  looking  as 
guilty  as  though  he  had  been  caught  at  eavesdrop- 
ping, rose,  drew  aside  the  curtain  at  the  entrance, 
and  stepped  outside.  As  he  did  so,  he  uttered  an 
exclamation  that  quickly  brought  the  others  to  his 
side. 

The  village,  recently  so  populous  and  filled  with 
busy  life,  was  deserted.  Not  a  soul  was  to  be  seen. 
Even  the  pigs  and  chickens  had  disappeared.  An 
unbroken  silence,  as  of  an  impending  doom,  brooded 
over  the  place,  and,  as  the  three  who  were  now  its 
sole  occupants  walked  among  the  vacant  habitations, 
they  felt  impelled  to  lower  their  voices,  as  though 
in  presence  of  the  dead.  They  had  gone  but  a 
short  distance  when  their  attention  was  attracted  by 


ANSTICE   BOYD   SAVES   LIFE   OF  A   CAPTIVE      219 

the  sound  of  many  voices  and  the  tramp  of  armed 
men.  Turning  in  that  direction,  they  beheld  a 
body  of  troops  pouring  from  the  pathway  leading 
to  the  swamp,  and  toward  these  they  at  once 
directed  their  steps. 

As  the  three  whose  recent  experiences  had  been 
so  thrilling  walked  slowly  down  the  grassy  slope, 
Douglass  strove  to  find  words  with  which  to  thank 
Anstice  Boyd  for  the  gift  of  his  life ;  but  the  girl 
interrupted  him  at  the  outset,  and  begged  him  never 
to  mention  the  subject  again. 

"Very  well,"  he  replied,  "since  that  is  your 
desire,  I  will  strive  to  obey.  I  do  so  the  more 
readily  that  mere  words  fail  to  express  my  feel- 
ings; but  I  shall  live  in  hope  of  the  time  when 
by  some  service  I  may  be  able  to  indicate  my 
gratitude." 

Whatever  else  the  grateful  young  soldier  might 
have  said  was  interrupted  by  cheers  from  the  troops, 
who  at  that  moment  recognized  the  comrade  whom 
they  had  mourned  as  lost  to  them  forever.  As 
quiet  was  restored,  his  brother  officers  crowded 
about  him  with  a  hearty  welcome  and  an  avalanche 
of  questions. 

"  That  will  do  for  the  present,  gentlemen,"  inter- 
posed Captain  Chase.  "  Excuse  a  soldier's  abrupt- 
ness, madam,"  he  added,  bowing  to  Anstice,  "but 
in  this  stern  business  of  war,  duty  must  precede 
even   the    ordinary   courtesies    of    life.     Now,    Mr. 


220  THROUGH  SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

Douglass,  since  you  are  so  happily  restored  to  us, 
please  tell  me  what  to  expect  in  yonder  den  of 
swamp  devils  ?  Are  we  to  be  attacked  ?  Shall  we 
charge.  What  force  opposes  us?  What  is  the 
meaning  of  this  ominous  silence  ?  " 

"  I  hardly  know  how  to  answer  you,  sir,"  replied 
the  lieutenant,  "for  I  am  as  ignorant  concerning 
the  enemy's  movements  as  yourself.  So  far  as 
I  know,  there  is  not  a  soul  in  yonder  village, 
though  but  a  few  minutes  ago  it  was  swarming 
with  life." 

"What  has  become  of  them,  then?"  demanded 
the  officer,  impatiently. 

"  I  do  not  know,  sir." 

"You  can  at  least  tell  in  which  direction  they 
went." 

"No,  sir,  I  cannot  even  do  that  ;  for  I  did  not  see 
them  go,  nor  do  I  know  when  they  departed." 

"  Upon  my  soul,  this  is  a  most  extraordinary  state 
of  affairs  !  "  exclaimed  the  officer,  flushing  angrily. 
"  I  must  confess  that  I  had  not  heretofore  credited 
you  with  blindness.  Perhaps,  sir,  you  can  give  us 
the  desired  information  ? "  he  added,  turning  to 
Ralph  Boyd. 

Upon  the  young  Englishman  claiming  an  equal 
ignorance  with  the  lieutenant,  the  irate  captain 
said  in  a  tone  of  suppressed  anger  :  "  This  matter 
shall  be  investigated  at  a  more  convenient  time, 
but   at   present   it   seems  that  we   must  make  dis- 


ANSTICE   BOYD   SAVES  LIFE   OF  A  CAPTIVE     221 

coveries  for  ourselves.     To  your  places,  gentlemen. 
Forward  !     Double  quick  !     March  !  " 

With  this  the  line  of  blue-coated  troops  advanced 
swiftly  up  the  slope  and  charged  the  empty  huts  of 
the  deserted  village. 


CHAPTER  XXVIII 

THE  MAEK   OF   THE   WILDCAT 

In  vain  did  the  soldiers  ransack  the  empty  huts 
of  the  village,  and  scour  the  island  from  end  to  end. 
Not  a  single  human  being  or  evidence  of  life  did 
they  discover,  nor  were  they  fired  upon  from  the 
belt  of  timber  surrounding  the  cleared  fields.  The 
hundreds  of  men,  women,  and  children,  Indians  and 
negroes,  who  had  been  at  home  in  this  place  less 
than  an  hour  before,  had  vanished  as  mysteriously 
and  completely  as  though  the  earth  had  opened  and 
swallowed  them.  Even  the  secret  place  of  exit 
through  the  swamp,  provided  for  just  such  an  emer- 
gency as  the  present,  had  not  been  discovered  when 
darkness  put  an  end  to  the  search,  and  the  troops 
camped  in  and  about  the  Indian  village  for  the  night. 

The  officer  commanding  the  expedition  was 
furious.  He  had  expected  to  destroy  or  capture 
the  entire  force  of  the  enemy  gathered  at  this 
point.  Instead  of  so  doing,  he  had  not  only  failed 
to  capture  a  single  prisoner,  but  could  not  discover 
that  his  fire  had  resulted  in  the  killing  or  even 
wounding  of  a  single  warrior.  On  the  other  hand, 
the    dead    of   his   own    command   numbered   seven, 

222 


THE    MARK   OF   THE   WILDCAT  223 

while  a  score  of  others  were  more  or  less  severely 
wounded.  His  anger  was  in  nowise  diminished 
by  what  he  was  pleased  to  term  the  culpable  igno- 
rance of  Lieutenant  Douglass  concerning  the  strength 
and  movements  of  the  Indians. 

When  questioned  on  these  points,  the  young 
officer,  with  a  delicacy  that  forbade  the  part  taken 
by  Anstice  Boyd  in  his  rescue  becoming  common 
talk  of  the  camp,  would  only  say  that,  having  been 
confined  in  a  closed  hut,  he  had  no  opportunity  of 
knowing  what  was  taking  place  outside. 

"  Were  you  bound,  blind-folded,  or  in  any  other 
way  deprived  of   the  use  of   your  faculties?"    de- 
manded the  commander. 
"No,  sir,  I  was  not." 

"  In  that  case  it  is  incredible  that  you  could  not 
have  found  some  opportunity  for  making  observa- 
tions of  what  was  taking  place  about  you  ;  and  that 
you  failed  to  do  so,  must  be  regarded  as  a  grave 
neglect  of  duty.  The  very  fact  that  the  savages, 
having  you  in  their  power,  presented  you  with  both 
life  and  liberty,  would  seem  to  argue  a  closer  sym- 
pathy between  you  and  them  than  is  permissible 
between  an  officer  of  the  United  States  army  and 
the  enemies  of  his  Government.  Therefore,  sir,  I 
shall  take  it  upon  myself  to  suspend  you  from  duty, 
and  shall  prefer  charges  against  you  which  you  will 
be  allowed  to  meet  before  a  court  martial.  That  is 
all,  sir.     You  may  go." 


224  THROUGH  SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

"  Very  good,  sir,"  replied  the  younger  officer,  bow- 
ing, and  retiring  with  a  pale  face,  and  a  mind  filled 
with  bitter  thoughts. 

That  night  the  island  seemed  a  very  abode  of  ma- 
licious spirits.  Low-hanging  clouds  covered  it  with 
a  veil  of  darkness  so  intense  as  to  be  oppressive.  A 
strong  wind  moaned  among  the  forest  trees,  and 
borne  on  it  from  the  surrounding  swamp  came  blood- 
chilling  shrieks  and  yells,  weird  and  foreboding,  but 
whether  produced  by  wild  beasts  or  wild  men,  the 
shuddering  listeners,  gathered  *  closely  about  flaring 
camp-fires,  could  not  determine.  So  terrible  were 
some  of  these  wind-borne  cries,  that  certain  among 
those  who  listened  declared  them  to  be  the  despair- 
ing accents  of  lost  souls ;  for  which  sentiment  they 
were  derided  by  the  bolder  of  their  comrades.  But 
when  the  midnight  relief  went  its  round  of  the 
outposts,  and  found  four  of  them  guarded  only  by 
corpses,  even  the  scoffers  were  willing  to  admit  that 
in  the  rush  of  the  night  wind  they  had  heard  the 
wings  of  the  angel  of  death. 

As,  one  after  another,  the  dead  sentinels  were 
brought  in  to  the  firelight,  they  were  found  to 
be  without  wounds,  unless  a  scratch  of  five  fine 
lines  on  each  pallid  forehead  could  be  called  such. 
In  each  case  the  cause  of  death  was  a  broken 
neck.  From  this  and  the  scratches,  that  looked 
as  though  they  might  have  been  made  by  the  brush- 
ing of  a  mighty  paw,  it  was  at  first  thought  that 


THE   MARK   OF  THE   WILDCAT  225 

the  unfortunate  soldiers  might  have  been  done  to 
death  by  one  of  the  more  powerful  beasts  of  the 
forest. 

This  belief  was,  however,  quickly  upset  by  an  old 
frontiersman  who  accompanied  the  troops  as  a 
scout.  Pointing  out  that  all  the  scratches  were 
located  in  the  same  place,  and  all  had  been  made 
with  equal  lightness  of  touch,  he  declared  them  to 
be  the  mark  of  Coacoochee  the  Wildcat. 

Already  the  terror  of  this  name  had  spread  so  far, 
that  when  Ralph  Boyd  asserted  that  Coacoochee  was 
indeed  leader  of  the  band  just  driven  from  that 
stronghold,  a  great  fear  fell  upon  the  soldiers,  and 
to  a  man  they  refused  to  perforin  outpost  duty  be- 
yond the  limit  of  firelight. 

To  enlarge  this  lighted  circle,  one  hut  after 
another  was  set  on  fire,  until  the  whole  village, 
including  the  great  storehouses  full  of  provisions 
and  the  granaries  of  corn,  was  one  roaring,  leap- 
ing mass  of  flame.  The  leafy  crowns  of  the  giant 
oaks  that  had  shaded  it,  shrivelled,  crackled,  and 
burst  into  a  myriad  tongues  of  fire ;  while  to  render 
the  destruction  of  the  forest  monarchs  more  certain, 
some  of  the  soldiers  seized  axes  and  girdled  their 
trunks. 

So  bright  was  the  circle  of  light  in  which  the  troops 
foolishly  sought  for  safety,  that  had  Coacoochee  been 
leader  of  one  hundred  warriors  at  that  moment,  he 
could  have  wiped  out  the  entire  force  of  invaders ; 


226  THROUGH   SWAMP   AND   GLADE 

but  he  was  alone,  and  from  the  black  recesses  of  a 
thicket  he  gazed  upon  the  scene  of  destruction  in 
impotent  wrath. 

Having  seen  the  band  intrusted  to  his  care  safely 
across  the  great  swamp,  and  well  on  their  way  to 
another  place  of  refuge,  he  had  returned  alone  to 
watch  the  invasion  of  Osceola's  stronghold.  With 
the  noiseless  movements  of  a  gliding  shadow  he  had 
skirted  the  camp  of  the  soldiers,  and  four  times  had 
he  left  silent  but  terrible  witnesses  of  his  presence. 
With  a  heavy  heart  he  now  watched  the  burning  of 
the  great  stores  of  food  that  he  had  gathered  for  the 
support  of  his  people  during  months  of  fighting  ;  for 
he  knew  that  with  this  destruction  a  heavy  blow  had 
been  dealt  against  the  Seminole  cause. 

With  the  earliest  coming  of  daylight,  the  troops, 
impatient  to  finish  their  task  and  leave  that  place  of 
terror,  began  to  destroy  the  growing  crops  beyond  the 
village.  Safe  hidden  among  the  spreading  branches 
of  a  live-oak,  where  he  was  screened  by  great  clusters 
of  pale-green  mistletoe,  Coacoochee  watched  them 
tear  up  acres  of  tasselled  corn,  and  laden  vines,  cut 
doAvn  scores  of  trees  heavy  with  ripening  fruit,  and 
burn  broad  areas  of  waving  cane. 

At  length,  the  work  of  destruction  was  completed, 
all  stragglers  were  called  in  by  a  blast  of  bugles,  a 
parting  volley  was  fired  over  the  single  long  grave, 
in  which  a  dozen  dead  soldiers  lay  buried;  and,  tak- 
ing their  wounded  with  them,  the  blue-coated  col- 


THE    MARK   OF   THE    WILDCAT  227 

umii  inarched  gladly  away  from  the  place  they  had 
so  little  reason  to  love. 

Descending  from  his  post  of  observation,  the  young 
Indian  followed  them,  until  he  had  seen  the  last 
trooper  disappear  along  the  narrow  causeway,  amid 
the  sombre  cypresses  of  the  Great  Swamp.  Then 
slowly  and  thoughtfully  he  retraced  his  steps,  walk- 
ing now  in  the  full  glare  of  sunlight,  until  he  stood 
again  beneath  the  clump  of  dying  trees  that,  but  a 
few  hours  before,  had  shaded  the  peaceful  village. 
As  he  gazed  about  him  on  charred  embers,  and  smok- 
ing ruins,  deserted  fields,  and  prostrate  orchards,  the 
bold  heart  of  the  young  war-chief  sank  like  a  leaden 
weight  within  him. 

"  Thus  must  it  be  to  the  end,"  he  said  half  aloud, 
as  though  his  brimming  thoughts  were  struggling 
for  expression.  "  Ruin  and  destruction  follow  ever 
the  tread  of  the  Iste-hatke.  He  is  strong,  and  we 
are  weak.  He  is  many,  and  Ave  are  few.  We 
may  kill  his  hundreds,  and  he  brings  thousands  to 
devour  us.  We  may  plant,  but  he  will  gather  the 
fruit.  The  Seminole  may  starve,  and  at  the  cry  of 
his  children  for  food  the  white  man  will  make 
merry.  My  father  was  right  when  he  said  that  to 
fight  the  white  man  was  like  fighting  the  waves  of 
the  great  salt  waters.  What  now  shall  be  done? 
Shall  we  continue  to  fight,  and  die  fighting  in  our 
own  land,  or  shall  we  again  trust  to  the  lying  tongue 
of  the  Iste-hatke,  and  go  to  the  place  in  which  he 


228  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

says  we  may  dwell  at  peace  with  him  ?  Oh,  Allala ! 
my  sister,  hear  me,  and  come  to  me  with  thy  words 
of  wisdom." 

At  that  moment,  as  though  in  answer  to  his  prayer, 
Coacoochee  caught  sight  of  a  figure  advancing  hes- 
itatingly towards  where  he  stood.  It  was  that  of 
a  warrior,  whom  he  recognized  even  at  a  distance 
as  belonging  to  his  own  band.  The  newcomer  cast 
troubled  glances  over  the  pitiful  scene  of  ruin  out- 
spread on  all  sides.  Until  now  he  had  not  noted  the 
presence  of  his  chief ;  but,  when  the  latter  uttered 
the  cry  of  a  hawk,  which  was  the  familiar  signal  of 
his  band,  the  warrior  quickened  his  steps,  and  came 
to  where  the  young  man  stood. 

He  proved  to  be  a  runner,  sent  out  by  Louis 
Pacheco,  to  notify  Coacoochee  that  Philip  Emathla 
with  all  the  people  of  his  village  had  been  captured 
and  conveyed  to  St.  Augustine,  whence  it  was  pro- 
posed to  remove  them  to  the  unknown  land  of  the 
far  west.  The  old  chief  had  begged  so  earnestly  for 
an  interview  with  his  eldest  son,  that  the  general  in 
command  had  sent  out  a  written  safe-conduct  for  the 
latter  to  come  and  go  again  in  safety.  This  the  run- 
ner now  delivered  to  Coacoochee,  assuring  him  at  the 
same  time  that  Louis  Pacheco  had  looked  at  it  and 
pronounced  it  good. 

The  young  chief  took  the  paper,  regarded  it  cu- 
riously, and  thrust  it  into  his  girdle,  then  without 
delay,  he  set  forth  on  his  long  journey  to  the  east- 


THE   MARK   OF  THE    WILDCAT  229 

ern  coast.  The  runner  was  able  to  inform  him  of 
the  present  location  of  Osceola,  and  accordingly 
he  first  directed  his  steps  to  the  camp  of  that  fiery 
young  chieftain  to  apprise  him  of  the  destruction 
of  his  swamp  stronghold. 

Here  he  found  a  delegation  of  Cherokees,  bear- 
ing an  address  from  John  Ross,  their  head  chief,  to 
Coacoochee  and  Osceola,  who  were  regarded  as  the 
most  important  leaders  of  the  Florida  Indians.  This 
address  prayed  the  Seminoles  to  end  their  fruitless 
struggle  against  the  all-powerful  whites.  It  assured 
them  that  should  they  consent  to  removal,  the  prom- 
ises made  by  the  latter  would  be  kept,  and  that  the 
Cherokees,  as  their  nearest  neighbors  in  the  western 
land,  would  ever  be  their  firm  allies  in  resistance  to 
further  oppression. 

The  conference  was  long  and  earnest.  Osceola,  dis- 
couraged by  the  loss  of  his  stronghold,  and  by  the 
destruction  of  its  great  store  of  provisions,  which  he 
foresaw  would  entail  much  suffering  among  his  peo- 
ple during  the  coming  winter,  was  inclined  to  make 
peace,  though  still  resolutely  opposed  to  removal. 

Coacoochee,  filled  with  thoughts  of  his  aged  father 
and  Nita  Pacheco  held  captives  by  the  whites,  was 
even  more  anxious  to  make  an  honorable  peace  than 
was  his  brother  chieftain.  So  it  was  finally  decided 
that  he  should  take  advantage  of  his  safe-conduct,  to 
visit  St.  Augustine,  advise  with  Philip  Emathla,  talk 
with  the  general  in  command,  so  as  to  ascertain  the 


230  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

exact  views  of  the  whites,  and  return  to  Osceola 
with  his  report. 

Thus,  three  days  later  the  young  war-chief,  clad  as 
befitted  his  rank,  and  bearing  a  superb  calumet  as  a 
present  from  Osceola,  presented  himself  boldly  before 
the  gates  of  St.  Augustine,  exhibited  his  safe-conduct, 
and  demanded  to  be  taken  to  the  general. 

The  manly  beauty  of  his  features,  his  haughty 
bearing,  and  gorgeous  costume  attracted  universal 
admiration,  as  he  strode  proudly  through  the  narrow 
streets  of  the  quaint  old  city.  Before  he  reached 
the  house  in  which  the  commandant  was  lodged, 
he  was  surrounded  by  a  curious  throng  of  citizens, 
through  which  the  corporal's  guard  escorting  him 
found  some  difficulty  in  clearing  a  passage. 

The  general  greeted  the  son  of  Philip  Emathla 
with  honeyed  words,  and  caused  him  to  be  treated 
with  the  consideration  due  his  rank  and  importance. 
His  father  was  brought  to  welcome  him,  and  the  two 
were  allowed  to  depart  together  to  the  encampment 
of  the  captives,  which  was  in  the  plaza,  or  central 
square  of  the  city,  where  it  was  surrounded  by  a 
cordon  of  soldiers.  Here,  after  a  separation  of 
many  months,  the  young  chief  met  her  to  whom  he 
had  plighted  his  troth  by  the  blue  Ahpopka  Lake. 
In  his  eyes  she  appeared  more  lovely  than  ever,  and 
he  longed  ardently  for  the  time  of  peace  that  should 
enable  him  to  make  for  her  a  home  in  which  they 
might  dwell  together  in  safety. 


THE   MARK   OF   THE    WILDCAT  231 

So  much  was  there  to  tell  and  to  hear,  and  so  many 
grave  questions  to  be  discussed,  that  the  night  was 
spent  in  talking,  and  the  dawn  of  another  day  found 
them  still  seated  about  the  cold  embers  of  a  small  fire 
in  front  of  King  Philip's  lodge. 

The  old  man  advised  earnestly  for  peace,  even  at 
the  cost  of  removal,  though  at  the  same  time  declar- 
ing that  with  leaving  his  own  land  his  heart  would 
break,  so  that  he  should  never  live  to  reach  the 
strange  place  set  apart  for  his  people. 

Nita,  happily  content  to  sit  close  beside  her  lover, 
only  leaving  him  now  and  then  to  replenish  the  fire, 
refill  the  pipes,  or  to  bring  from  the  lodge  some 
dainty  morsel  of  food,  had  little  to  say ;  but  such 
words  as  she  uttered  were  in  favor  of  peace. 

Thus  was  the  mind  of  Coacoochee  the  Wildcat 
turned  from  thoughts  of  fighting  and  vengeance,  to 
those  of  peace  and  happiness  for  his  loved  ones,  his 
oppressed  people,  and  himself.  So  convinced  was 
he  that  the  war  must  be  ended,  that  he  readily  con- 
sented to  go  again  to  Osceola,  and  persuade  him  to 
come  in,  with  such  other  chiefs  as  could  be  gathered, 
to  attend  a  solemn  council,  with  a  view  to  the  speedy 
settlement  of  all  existing  troubles.  On  leaving  the 
city,  he  was  laden  with  presents,  both  for  himself 
and  Osceola,  and  promising  to  return  in  ten  days, 
he  set  forth  with  a  lighter  heart  than  he  had  known 
for  more  than  a  year. 

Alas  for  human  nature,  that  they  who  trust  most 


232  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND  GLADE 

should  be  most  often  deceived !  By  the  swift  turn- 
ing of  affairs  that  gave  the  army  in  Florida  a  new 
commanding  general  every  few  months  during  the 
Seminole  War,  General  Scott  had  been  succeeded  by 
General  Jesup.  From  him  the  commandant  at  St. 
Augustine  had  recently  received  a  despatch  which, 
could  Coacoochee  have  known  its  contents,  would 
have  filled  the  young  chief's  heart  with  renewed 
bitterness,  and  turned  his  peaceful  longings  into  a 
fierce  resolve  for  a  fight  to  the  death. 


CHAPTER    XXIX 

TREACHEROUS  CAPTURE   OF  COACOOCHEE  AND 
OSCEOLA 

To  the  great  satisfaction  of  the  general  of  militia 
commanding  at  St.  Augustine,  Coacoochee,  unsus- 
picious of  evil,  and  intent  only  upon  carrying  out  his 
avowed  purpose  of  arranging  for  a  new  treaty  of 
peace,  returned  to  the  city  on  the  exact  date  he  had 
named.  With  an  honest  pride  at  the  success  of  his 
negotiations  he  announced  that  Osceola,  Coa  Hadjo, 
Talmus  Hadjo,  and  others  would  come  in  on  the  fol- 
lowing day,  and,  camping  a  short  distance  outside 
the  city,  would  there  await  the  white  commissioners. 
He  also  brought  information  that  the  Cherokee  peace 
delegation  had  gone  to  the  westward  for  a  conference 
with  Micanopy  and  other  chiefs. 

The  general,  still  treating  the  young  chief  with 
a  lofty  consideration,  thanked  him  profusely  for  his 
services,  and  asked  as  a  favor  that  he  would  guide  a 
wagon-load  of  provisions,  intended  as  a  present  for 
Osceola  and  his  people,  to  the  place  selected  for  their 
encampment.  This,  he  said,  was  a  small  portion  of 
the  supply  he  was  collecting  for  his  Indian  friends ; 
and,  when  he  went  to  meet  them  on  the  morrow,  he 

233 


234  THROUGH   SWAMP   AND   GLADE 

should  take  with  him  several  other  wagons  laden 
with  provisions,  that  they  might  have  plenty  to 
eat  in  case  the  negotiations  were  extended  over  a 
number  of  days. 

Much  pleased  by  this  proof  of  the  white  man's 
thoughtful  kindness,  Coacoochee  willingly  consented 
to  act  as  guide  to  the  first  wagon,  and  then  asked 
that  he  might  visit  Philip  Emathla's  camp  while  it 
was  being  got  ready,  —  a  request  that  was  granted, 
though  with  evident  reluctance. 

As  the  young  Indian  turned  away  from  the  gen- 
eral's quarters,  he  almost  ran  into  the  arms  of 
Ralph  Boyd,  who  had  come  to  St.  Augustine  with 
his  sister  but  two  days  before,  intending  to  remain 
there  until  the  end  of  the  war  should  render  it 
safe  for  them  to  return  to  their  plantation.  While 
Coacoochee  was  delighted  to  thus  encounter  the 
only  white  man  whom  he  could  call  friend,  the 
young  Englishman  was  more  than  amazed  to  meet 
him  amid  such  surroundings. 

"  Coacoochee  !  "  he  exclaimed.  "How  is  this? 
why  are  you  here  ?  Is  it  as  a  prisoner  ?  Or  have 
you  decided  to  join  the  winning  side,  and  become  an 
ally  of  the  Americans  ?  " 

"I  am  here  neither  as  a  prisoner  or  a  traitor," 
answered  the  other,  proudly,  "  but  to  help  in  making 
a  peace  for  my  people  while  they  are  yet  strong 
enough  to  insist  upon  honorable  terms." 

"  And  do  you  trust  the  man  whom  you  have  just 


CAPTURE   OF   COACOOCHEE  AND   OSCEOLA        235 

left  ? "  asked  Boyd,  indicating  by  a  gesture  the 
quarters  of  the  general. 

"  Yes,"  replied  Coacoochee,  slowly.  "  I  trust  him, 
for  I  must  trust  him.  Without  trust  on  both  sides 
there  could  be  no  treaty.  Without  a  treaty  the 
Seminole  must  be  wiped  out.  My  father  and  others 
of  my  people  are  even  now  held  here  as  captives, 
and  only  through  a  treaty  can  their  liberty  be  re- 
stored. I  go  now  to  see  them.  Will  my  white 
brother  go  with  me  ?  " 

"With  pleasure.  I  knew  there  were  Indian 
prisoners  here,  but  had  no  idea  that  your  father 
was  among  them,  or  I  would  have  visited  him  ere 
this,  to  congratulate  him  on  having  so  fine  a  son. 
Ah!  here  is  their  camp  now;  but  I  say,  Coacoochee, 
who  is  that  white  girl  sitting  among  the  Indian 
women?  By  Jove  !  she  is  the  most  beautiful  creat- 
ure I  ever  saw." 

"  Her  name  is  Nita  Pacheco,"  answered  the  young 
chief,  gazing  fondly  at  the  girl,  who,  intent  on  a  bit 
of  sewing,  was  as  yet  unaware  of  his  presence. 

" Not  your  Nita!  Not  the  one  that  you —  Why, 
confound  it,  man!  You  never  told  me  she  was 
white.     You  said  she  was  a  —  " 

"  So  she  is,"  admitted  Coacoochee,  very  quietly. 
"  She  is  one  of  the  Iste-lustee,  as  you  were  about  to 
say.  Her  mother  was  an  octoroon,  and  of  every 
sixteen  drops  in  Nita's  veins,  one  is  black.  Al- 
though she  was  born  free  as  you  or  I,  she  has  been 


236  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

claimed  as  a  slave;  and  Philip  Emathla  was  obliged 
to  pay  a  large  sum  of  money  to  establish  her  free- 
dom. With  the  ending  of  this  war  she  will  become 
my  chee-hi-wah,  or  what  }^ou  would  call  wife." 

"  In  which  case  I  don't  wonder  that  you  are  so 
keen  for  peace.  If  I  were  in  your  place,  I  would 
have  it  at  any  price,  and  I  only  hope  I  may  speed- 
ily have  the  pleasure  of  dancing  at  your  wedding. 
Won't  Anstice  be  pleased,  though  ?  Ever  since  she 
discovered  that  you  had  a  sweetheart,  she  has  wished 
to  meet  her." 

"  Would  the  white  maiden  take  the  hand  of  her 
who  is  of  the  Iste-lustee  ?  "  asked  Coacoochee,  ab- 
ruptly. 

"  Oh  bother  your  Iste-lustees  !  of  course  she 
would,"  cried  Boyd.  "Not  only  that,  but  she  would 
love  her  dearly.  Why,  the  girl  is  as  white  as 
Anstice  herself,  and  even  if  she  were  not,  do  you 
suppose  that  would  make  any  difference  ?  Don't 
you  know  that  an}'  one  precious  to  you  must  also 
be  dear  to  us,  who  owe  you  everything,  including 
our  lives.  Don't  you  know  the  meaning  of  the  word 
'  gratitude '  ?  And  don't  you  suppose  we  know  it, 
too,  you  confoundedly  proud  Seminole,  you?" 

Ere  he  finished  this  speech  the  Englishman  was 
left  alone  ;  for,  at  the  sound  of  his  raised  voice,  Nita 
looked  up,  and  flushed  so  rosily  at  sight  of  her  lover, 
that  he  was  drawn  to  her  side  as  irresistibly  as 
needle  to  magnet.     Then,  forgetful  of  all  save  each 


CAPTURE  OF   COACOOCHEE  AND  OSCEOLA        237 

other,  they  strolled  among  the  lodges  of  the  little 
encampment. 

Suddenly  while  they  walked,  Coacoochee  started 
as  though  he  had  been  shot.  In  a  whisper  he  bade 
the  girl  at  his  side  return  to  her  companions,  and  as 
without  comment  she  obeyed  him,  he  stood  motionless, 
his  face  black  with  rage,  and  his  whole  frame  quiver- 
ing with  excitement.  The  cause  of  this  emotion  was 
a  voice  coming  from  the  opposite  side  of  a  tent  that 
had  been  appropriated  to  the  especial  use  of  Philip 
Emathla.     The  voice  was  saying  : 

"  They  tell  me,  old  man,  that  you  don't  savey 
American  ;  but  I  reckin  you  can  understand  enough 
to  know  what  I  mean  when  I  say  that  if  you've  got 
any  niggers  to  sell,  I'm  the  man  that'll  buy  them  of 
you,  of  co'se  at  a  reasonable  figger.  As  things 
stand  now,  your  travelling  expenses  are  likety  to  be 
heavy,  and  there's  two  or  three  wenches  in  your 
camp  that  I'd  be  willing  to  stake  you  something 
handsome  for.  There  ain't  no  drop  of  Injun  blood 
in  ary  one  of  them,  and  they  are  certain  to  be  took 
from  you,  anyway.  So  you,  might  as  well  make  some- 
thing out  of  'em  while  you've  got  the  chance.  One 
of  'em,  that  Pacheco  gal,  is  mine  by  rights,  anyhow  ; 
but  if  —  " 

At  this  point  the  speaker  uttered  a  yell  of  terror, 
and  instinctively  reached  for  his  pistol,  as  with  a 
bound  like  that  of  a  panther  and  blazing  eyes, 
Coacoochee   leaped  upon   him.     Mr.   Troup   Jeifers 


238  THROUGH   SWAMP   AND   GLADE 

was  hurled  to  the  ground  with  such  force  that  for 
a  moment  he  lay  stunned  and  motionless.  As  the 
Wildcat  glared  about  him  for  some  Aveapon  with 
which  to  complete  his  task,  two  of  the  guards 
rushed  in  and  dragged  the  slave-trader  beyond  the 
lines  of  the  camp.  At  the  same  time,  Boyd,  who  had 
witnessed  the  scene  from  a  distance,  came  hurrying 
up  from  an  opposite  direction. 

"  For  Heaven's  sake  Coacoochee  !  What  does 
this  mean?"  he  cried  ;  "you'll  have  a  war  on  your 
hands  right  here  if  you  don't  look  out." 

Without  answering  him,  the  young  Indian  turned 
to  Philip  Emathla,  who  was  sitting  before  the  tent, 
and  uttered  a  few  hurried  words  in  his  own  tongue, 
the  purport  of  which  was,  "  Look  well  on  this  man, 
my  father  ;  for  he  is  my  friend,  whom  you  can  trust 
as  you  would  me.  If  he  comes  to  thee  for  Nita,  let 
her  go  with  him." 

Then  he  and  Ralph  Boyd  hurried  away  in  the 
direction  from  which  they  had  come.  As  they 
passed  the  group  of  women,  Coacoochee  stopped  to 
whisper  in  the  ear  of  Nita  Pacheco,  who  was  also 
bidden  to  trust  the  white  man  now  before  her,  and 
then  they  passed  on. 

"That  dog,  whom  I  would  I  had  killed,"  said 
the  young  Indian,  when  they  were  safely  beyond 
the  camp,  "  is  a  catcher  of  slaves,  who  seeks  to  steal 
my  promised  wife.  For  this  night,  I  cannot  protect 
her,  for  I  must  meet  Ah-ha-se-ho-la.     If  I  do  not, 


CAPTURE  OF   COACOOCHEE  AND  OSCEOLA        239 

he  will  not  stay,  and  there  will  be  no  peace.  Before 
the  setting  of  to-morrow's  sun  Coacoochee  will  be 
free  to  protect  his  own.  For  this  night,  then,  I 
would  have  you  and  the  white  maiden,  thy  sister, 
give  to  Nita  the  shelter  of  thy  lodge  ;  or,  if  that  be 
not  possible,  watch  over  her  and  see  that  she  is  not 
stolen  away." 

"  Certainly,  my  dear  fellow !  Of  course  we  will 
look  out  for  her  as  long  as  you  like,  and  glad  of  the 
chance  to  thus  repay  some  portion  of  our  indebted- 
ness," interrupted  Ralph  Boyd,  heartily.  "  But  who 
is  the  rascally  beggar  ?  " 

"  His  name  I  know  not,"  replied  the  other ;  "  but 
certain  things  concerning  him  I  do  know.  He,  more 
than  any  other,  caused  this  war  between  the  Iste- 
chatte  and  the  white  man.  He  broke  up  the  home 
of  the  Pachecos  and  sold  the  mother  and  brother  of 
Nita  into  slavery,  as  he  would  now  sell  her.  He 
stole  and  sold  into  slavery  the  wife  of  Osceola." 

"  The  scoundrel  !  "  exclaimed  Boyd. 

"  When  my  white  brother  was  shot  down  at  the 
battle  of  the  Withlacoochee,  the  bullet  came  from 
behind,  and  from  the  rifle  of  this  man." 

"  What ! " 

"  When  the  home  of  my  white  brother  was  attacked 
by  white  men,  painted  to  look  like  the  Iste-chatte, 
this  man  was  leader  of  the  band.  He  it  was  who 
took  the  white  maiden,  thy  sister,  captive  and  left 
her  to  perish  in  the  forest." 


240  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND  GLADE 

"  Good  Heavens,  man  !  Do  you  know  what  you 
are  talking  about  ?     Can  all  this  be  true  ?  " 

"  The  tongue  of  Coacoochee  is  straight.  He 
would  not  lie  to  his  white  brother." 

"  Yes,  but  may  you  not  be  mistaken  ?  I  did  not 
know  I  had  an  enemy  in  the  world,  who  would  thus 
injure  me.     Who  can  it  be  ?  " 

"What  I  have  said  is  true.  Does  my  brother 
remember  talking  with  a  man  under  a  tree  the  day 
before  the  white  soldiers  reached  the  ferry  of  the 
Withlacoochee,  and  speaking  scornful  words  to 
him?" 

"Yes,  though  I  don't  see  how  you  could  know 
of  that.  I  inquired  about  him  and  found  out  his 
name,  which  proved  to  be  the  same  as  that  of  the 
last  overseer  on  my  plantation.  I  had  heard  bad 
accounts  of  the  man,  and  had  him  discharged  before 
taking  possession." 

"This  man  is  the  same  who  talked  with  my 
brother  under  the  tree." 

"  Well,  whoever  he  is,  you  may  be  very  certain 
that  I  shall  look  into  this  thing  thoroughly,  and  if 
I  find  him  to  be  guilty  of  half  of  these  things,  I  will 
make  him  suffer  sweetly.  Meantime,  my  lad,  do 
you  rest  easy  about  your  sweetheart.  Anstice  shall 
go  to  her,  and  for  your  sake,  if  not  for  her  own,  her 
safety  shall  be  guarded  with  our  lives." 

By  this  time  they  had  reached  again  the  general's 
quarters,  and   the    wagon   that   Coacoochee  was   to 


CAPTURE   OF   COACOOCHEE  AND  OSCEOLA        241 


guide  stood  in  readiness.  So,  with  a  warm  hand- 
clasp, the  friends  parted,  one  to  go  on  a  mission  that 
he  fondly  hoped  would  bring  a  lasting  peace  to  his 
people,  and  the  other  to  take  measures  for  the  safety 
of  Nita  Pacheco. 

According  to  promise  Osceola,  escorted  by  some 
seventy  warriors,  all  mounted,  and  preceded  by  a 
white  flag,  in  token  of  the  peaceful  nature  of  their 
mission,  arrived  promptly  at  the  appointed  place  of 
encampment.  There  they  were  met  by  Coacoochee 
with  a  welcome  supply  of  provisions. 

Long  and  earnestly  did  the  two  young  chieftains 
talk  together  that  night,  in  planning  for  the  morrow, 
on  which  they  believed  the  fate  of  their  nation  would 
be  decided.  On  one  point  they  were  fully  agreed. 
The  negro  allies,  who  had  fought  so  bravely  with 
them,  and  who  were  as  free  as  themselves,  must  be 
considered  as  equal  with  them,  and  must,  in  any 
negotiations,  be  granted  the  same  terms  as  them- 
selves. If  this  should  not  be  allowed,  they  would 
refuse  to  make  peace,  and  would  return  under  pro- 
tection of  their  white  flag,  whence  they  came. 

At  ten  o'clock  on  the  following  morning  a  blare 
of  trumpets  announced  the  coming  of  the  general. 
He  was  accompanied  by  a  staff  of  uncommon  gor- 
geousness,  and  escorted  by  one  hundred  mounted 
militiamen,  all  armed  to  the  teeth.  Behind  these 
rumbled  several  large,  covered  wagons  similar  in 
appearance  to  the  one  that  had  brought  provisions 


212  THROUGH   SWAMP   AND   GLADE 

the  evening  before.  These  were  halted  a  short  dis- 
tance away,  where  they  were  partially  hidden  in  the 
palmetto  scrub. 

Coacoochee,  Osceola,  Coa  Hadjo,  and  Talmus,  ar- 
rayed in  such  finery  as  befitted  the  occasion,  stood 
forth  to  meet  the  newcomers,  while  their  handful  of 
warriors  clustered  close  behind  them.  Above  their 
heads  fluttered  the  white  flag  of  truce. 

Approaching  to  within  a  few  yards  of  them,  and 
utterly  ignoring  the  formalities  usual  at  such  a  time, 
and  so  dear  to  the  heart  of  an  Indian,  the  general 
began  abruptly  to  read  a  list  of  questions  from  a 
paper  that  he  held  in  his  hand.  The  first  of  these 
struck  like  a  blow: 

"Are  you  prepared  to  deliver  up  at  once  all 
negroes  taken  from  citizens  ? 

"  Why  have  you  not  done  this  already  ? 

"  Where  are  the  other  chiefs,  and  why  have  they 
not  surrendered  ?  " 

There  were  other  questions  of  a  similar  nature, 
and  realizing  from  these,  as  well  as  from  the  tone  of 
the  speaker's  voice,  that  the  whites  had  not  come 
there  with  any  thought  of  discussing  a  treaty, 
Osceola,  with  a  quick  glance  about  him,  like  a  stag 
brought  to  bay,  attempted  to  speak,  but  his  voice 
choked  and  failed  him.  He  looked  appealingly  at 
Coacoochee,  as  though  requesting  him  to  frame  an 
answer;  but  the  son  of  Philip  Emathla  stood  like 
one  who  is  stunned. 


CAPTURE   OF   COACOOCHEE  AND  OSCEOLA        243 

"  You,  Powell,"  continued  the  general,  harshly, 
"having  signed  the  treaty  of  Fort  King,  shall  he 
made  to  abide  by  it. 

"  As  for  you,  Wildcat,  I  have  learned  of  your  re- 
cent outrages  in  the  Withlacoochee  Swamp.  Never 
again  shall  you  have  a  chance  to  murder  white 
men,  like  the  cowardly  beast  whose  name  you 
bear." 

Thus  saying,  the  speaker  waved  his  arm,  a  loud 
command  rang  out,  there  came  a  rush  through  the 
palmettoes,  a  clash  of  weapons,  and  the  too  trusting 
Seminoles  found  themselves  hemmed  in  on  all  sides 
by  a  hedge  of  glittering  bayonets. 

A  strong  body  of  infantry,  brought  in  the  sup- 
posed provision  wagons,  had  gathered  in  a  circle 
about  the  unsuspecting  Indians.  Thus,  within  ten 
minutes  after  the  arrival  of  the  troops,  under  the 
very  shadow  of  a  truce  flag,  was  this  most  shameful 
deed  of  treachery  accomplished. 

Disarmed  and  bound  like  so  many  slaves,  and 
guarded  by  double  ranks  of  soldiers,  the  forest  war- 
riors were  driven,  like  sheep,  to  the  city  and  through 
the  massive  gateway  of  its  frowning  fortress.  Here 
Coacoochee  was  separated  forever  from  Osceola,  who 
was  soon  afterwards  taken  to  Fort  Moultrie  in 
Charleston  harbor.  There,  a  few  weeks  later,  he 
died  of  a  broken  heart,  far  away  from  his  friends 
and  from  the  dear  land  for  which  he  had  fought 
so  bravely. 


244  THROUGH  SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

With  only  Talmus  Hadjo  for  a  companion,  the 
Wildcat  was  roughly  thrust  into  one  of  those  narrow 
dungeons  from  the  deadly  gloom  of  which  he  had 
shrunk  with  such  horror  on  the  occasion  of  his 
long-ago  visit  to  the  fort  in  company  with  Louis 
Pacheco. 


CHAPTER   XXX 

IN   THE   DUNGEONS   OF   THE   ANCIENT   FORTRESS 

The  capture  of  Coacoochee  and  Osceola  created 
an  extraordinary  degree  of  excitement  in  St.  Au- 
gustine, where  the  news  of  this  most  important 
event  was  hailed  with  extravagant  joy  and  openly 
expressed  sorrow.  Those  who  rejoiced  were  of  that 
class  who  wanted  the  war  ended,  and  the  Seminoles 
removed  by  any  means,  fair  or  foul,  they  cared  not 
which.  To  such  persons  an  Indian  was  only  a  spe- 
cies of  noxious  animal,  for  the  trapping  of  which  any 
deception  was  justifiable.  On  the  other  hand  were 
many  honorable  men  and  women  whose  indignation, 
at  the  deed  of  treachery  by  which  the  fair  name  of 
the  Government  had  been  smirched,  knew  no  bounds. 
Of  all  these,  none  was  so  filled  with  righteous  wrath 
as  were  Ralph  and  Anstice  Boyd. 

"  I  was  not  wholly  unprepared  for  some  such  ras- 
cality," said  the  former,  "  and  I  tried  to  conve}^  my 
suspicions  to  Coacoochee  yesterday ;  though,  know- 
ing nothing  definite,  I  dared  not  speak  plainly.  He, 
poor  fellow,  is  so  entirely  honest  and  incapable  of 
such  a  cowardly  act  himself,  that  he  failed  to  com- 
prehend what  I  was  driving  at.     To  his  simple  mind, 

245 


246  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

a  great  chief  must  be  an  honorable  man  ;  otherwise 
he  would  not  be  a  great  chief,  or,  indeed,  a  chief  of 
any  degree.  Rather  different  from  the  idea  prevail- 
ing in  most  white  communities,  is  it  not  ?  " 

"  I  should  say  so,  judging  from  what  we  have  seen 
lately,"  .  cried  Anstice.  "  But  I  am  too  furious  to 
talk  about  it.  I  am  almost  ashamed  of  being  white. 
I  only  wish  I  were  a  man !  " 

"What  would  you  do  in  that  case?"  inquired  her 
brother  curiously. 

"Do?  I  would  fight,  and  devote  my  life  to  fight- 
ing just  such  outrageous  wrongs  as  this.  That's 
what  I  would  do." 

"  I  don't  doubt  you  would,  you  precious  little  spit- 
fire, and  a  mighty  plucky  fight  you'd  put  up.  You'd 
lose,  though,  every  time  ;  for,  besides  pluck  and  pug- 
nacity, it  takes  coolness  and  infinite  patience  to  fight 
the  battle  of  right  against  might.  But,  to  return  to 
practical  matters,  what  is  to  become  of  our  guest, 
now  that  Coacoochee  is  no  longer  in  a  position  to 
elope  with  her,  or  afford  her  other  protection  than 
that  of  his  prayers  ?  " 

"  She  is  to  stay  with  us,  of  course,  for  just  as  long 
as  we  can  keep  her.  In  the  meantime,  we  must 
manage  in  some  way  to  get  him  out  of  that  terrible 
prison.  Poor  fellow  !  How  he  must  be  suffering  at 
this  minute.  I  only  hope  he  remembers  that  he  still 
has  some  friends,  and  that  there  are  still  a  few  faint 
sparks  of  honor  and  gratitude  glowing  in  the  bosoms 


IN  THE  DUNGEONS  OF  THE  ANCIENT  FORTRESS     247 

of  the  '  Iste-hatke,'  as  he  calls  us.  We  must  get 
Irwin  Douglass  to  help  us,  and  I  only  hope  he  will 
call  to-day,  so  that  we  can  begin  to  plan  at  once." 

"  Hold  hard,  sister  !  Remember  that  the  awkward 
situation  Douglass  is  already  in  is  largely  owing  to 
us.  If  you  take  my  advice,  you  will  not  mention  to 
him  our  desire  that  Coacoochee  should  escape,  or  dis- 
close to  him  the  identity  of  our  guest.  I  agree  with 
you,  that  we  are  bound  to  do  whatever  we  can  to  aid 
our  Indian  friend,  and  that  the  forest  maiden  shall 
make  her  home  with  us  so  long  as  she  chooses  to  do 
so ;  but,  for  the  present,  I  beg  that  no  one  else,  not 
even  Irwin  Douglass,  be  admitted  to  our  secret." 

"  Very  well,  Mr.  wise  man,  I  will  let  you  have  your 
own  way  for  a  time ;  but  don't  try  my  patience  too 
far,  lest  I  do  something  desperate.  Red-headed  girls 
aren't  expected  to  be  cool-headed  as  well,  you  know, 
and  so  when  I  have  once  set  my  heart  on  having  a 
thing  done,  I  want  it  done  without  delay." 

Thus  it  happened  that,  when  Lieutenant  Douglass 
called  on  the  Boycls  that  evening,  and  was  formally 
presented  to  a  Miss  Annette  Felipe,  he  did  not,  for  >a 
moment,  doubt  that  she  belonged  to  one  of  the  old 
Spanish-American  families  of  the  Territory.  She 
had  a  darkly  beautiful  face,  was  quietly  but  stylishly 
dressed,  and  was  demurely  silent.  That  she  spoke 
so  little  was  explained  by  Anstice  on  the  ground 
that  Spanish  was  her  native  tongue,  and  that  she 
was  visiting  her  in  order  to  improve  her  English. 


248  ■        THROUGH  SWAMP  AND  GLADE 

As  the  lieutenant  did  not  speak  nor  understand 
Spanish,  he  was  more  than  content  to  devote  himself 
to  Miss  Anstice,  leaving  the  stranger  to  be  enter- 
tained by  Ralph  Boyd.  Douglass  and  the  English 
girl  discussed  his  present  prospects,  and  wondered 
how  long  he  would  be  obliged  to  wait  in  idleness 
before  a  court-martial  could  be  convened  to  hear  his 
case,  and  of  course  dismiss  the  absurd  charges  pre- 
ferred against  him.  They  talked  of  their  recent 
exciting  experiences,  and  finally  Anstice  said  : 

"  By  the  way,  Mr.  Douglass,  I  wish  you  would 
take  us  to  visit  the  prisoners  in  the  old  fort.  I  am 
so  anxious  to  see  that  splendid  Osceola.  Besides, 
we  want  to  do  everything  we  can  to  make  Annette's 
visit  pleasant,  and  there  is  so  little  to  amuse  one  in 
this  stupid  place.  I  am  sure  she  would  be  so  inter- 
ested in  those  Indians.  Won't  you  please  arrange  it, 
like  a  dear  man  ?  " 

"Certainly,  I  will  if  I  can,"  replied  the  young 
officer.  "At  the  same  time,  I  am  not  at  all  sure 
that  the  general  will  regard  with  favor  an  appli- 
cation for  a  permit  from  one  in  my  peculiar  posi- 
tion." 

"  Oh,  I  fancy  he  will.  At  any  rate,  you  manage 
it  for  us  somehow,  and  make  as  early  a  date  as  pos- 
sible ;  for  Annette  may  be  compelled  to  leave  us  at 
any  time,  and  I  wouldn't  have  her  miss  seeing  the 
interior  of  the  fort.  She  has  never  seen  anything 
like  it,  you  know.     We  are  going  to  take  a  walk 


IN  THE  DUNGEONS  OF  THE  ANCIENT  FORTRESS      249 

to-morrow  morning  just  to  show  her  the  outside  of 
it,  and  you  may  come  with  us  if  you  choose." 

So  Douglass  promised  to  do  what  he  could,  and 
when  he  joined  the  walking  party  on  the  morrow,  he 
-  announced  that  he  had  thought  of  a  plan  which  he 
believed  would  work.  "  You  see,"  he  said,  "  Mrs. 
Canby,  wife  of  Canby  of  the  Rifles,  has  just  arrived 
from  the  North,  and  as  she  has  never  seen  any  In- 
dians, of  course  she  will  be  anxious  to  visit  the  fort. 
So  I  will  get  Canby  to  secure  the  permit,  and  invite 
us  all  to  join  his  party." 

While  discussing  this  plan  and  deciding  that  it 
would  be  the  very  thing,  they  reached  the  ancient 
fortress,  and  as  they  skirted  its  frowning  walls,  Miss 
Felipe,  who  had  hardly  spoken  since  starting,  and 
then  only  to  Anstice,  became  so  visibly  affected,  that 
the  English  girl  threw  an  arm  protectingly  about 
her,  exclaiming,  "  Annette  is  so  tender-hearted  that 
she  can't  bear  the  thought  of  captives  being  shut  up 
in  that  gloomy  place." 

"It  is  tough  luck,"  agreed  the  young  officer. 
"  And  there  is  not  the  slightest  chance  of  their  es- 
caping either,  for  the  only  openings  into  the  cells 
are  those  small  embrasures  through  which  even  a  boy 
would  find  it  difficult  to  squeeze.  They  are  some 
eighteen  feet  above  the  floor,  too,  so  that  it  would  be 
impossible  to  reach  them  without  a  ladder." 

A  few  days  later,  a  permit  for  a  party  of  six  to 
visit  the  fort  having  been  secured,  Mrs.  Canby,  the 


250  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

Boyds,  their  guest,  and  Douglass  set  forth,  Mr. 
Canby  being  detained  by  urgent  duty,  and  excusing 
himself  at  the  last  moment.  After  passing  the 
strong  guard  stationed  at  the  gateway,  the  sight- 
seers found  themselves  in  a  large,  open  space,  where 
many  of  the  captives  were  lounging  or  walking 
about.  In  these,  the  Spanish  girl  showed  not  the 
slightest  interest,  but  seemed  inclined  to  hasten  on. 
She  carried  a  light  shawl  thrown  over  her  arm,  of 
which  slight  burden  Douglass  had  politely  but  in 
vain  attempted  to  relieve  her. 

"  Your  friend  seems  very  odd,  and  not  at  all  like 
other  girls,"  he  confided  to  Anstice  Boyd. 

"  Yes.  Isn't  she  ?  "  replied  the  English  girl,  readily. 
"  But  then  you  must  remember  her  bringing  up.  I 
wonder  if  Osceola  is  among  these  Indians?" 

"Oh  no,  miss,"  answered  the  sergeant  who  had 
been  detailed  to  act  as  guide.  "  The  chiefs  are  only 
allowed  out,  one  at  a  time,  under  guard,  after  the 
others  have  gone  in.     They  are  in  their  cells  now." 

"  Well,  take  us  to  them,  then,"  said  Anstice,  for 
they  are  the  ones  we  care  most  to  see.  Don't  you 
think  so,  Mrs.  Canby?" 

"  Yes,  indeed,"  agreed  that  lady ;  "  only  I  hope 
they  will  prove  better  looking  and  more  interesting 
than  these  creatures  out  here." 

So  the  party  was  guided  to  the  cell  occupied  by 
Osceola,  in  front  of  which  paced  a  sentry,  and  its 
massive  door  was  swung  back  on  creaking  hinges. 


IN  THE  DUNGEONS  OF  THE  ANCIENT  FORTRESS     251 

The  haughty  chieftain,  still  clad  in  his  most  splendid 
costume,  was  seated  on  a  stool,  gazing  blankly  at  the 
opposite  wall.  He  roused  slightly  as  the  sergeant 
said : 

"Here's  some  ladies  come  to  visit  you,  Powell," 
and  when  Mrs.  Canby  and  Anstice  expressed  a  wish 
to  shake  hands  with  him,  he  extended  his  hand  to 
them  mechanically.  When,  however,  the  lieutenant 
also  offered  to  shake  hands,  a  fierce  flash  of  anger 
leaped  into  the  eyes  of  the  forest  warrior,  and  he 
drew  back  haughtily,  exclaiming  as  he  did  so  : 

"  No,  sir  !  Never  again  shall  the  hand  of  Ah-ha- 
se-ho-la  meet  in  friendship  that  of  one  wearing  the 
disgraced  livery  of  a  United  States  officer." 

"  Horrid  thing !  "  cried  Mrs.  Canby,  as  the  party 
hurriedly  withdrew  from  the  cell.  "  The  idea  of  a 
mere  savage  daring  to  speak  so  to  an  army  officer  ! 
You  did  well,  Miss  Felipe,  not  to  go  near  the  wretch, 
and  I  only  wish  I  hadn't.  I  certainly  don't  want  to 
see  any  more  of  them." 

As  the  speaker  absolutely  refused  to  visit  the  re- 
maining prisoners,  which  the  others  were  still  desir- 
ous of  doing,  Douglass  remained  with  her,  leaving 
but  three  of  the  party  to  inspect  the  cell  occupied  by 
Coacoochee  and  Talmus  Hadjo.  It,  like  the  other, 
was  guarded  by  a  sentry,  with  whom  the  guide,  after 
throwing  open  the  door,  stepped  aside  to  speak. 

Although  the  Spanish  girl  had  remained  outside 
the    other    cell,    she    pushed    eagerly   forward    into 


252  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

this  one,  while  Anstice  and  her  brother  stood  in 
the  doorway.  Talmns  Had  jo  lay  on  a  pile  of  for- 
age-bags that  served  as  a  bed,  while  Coacoochee, 
the  very  picture  of  despair,  stood  leaning,  with 
folded  arms,  against  one  of  the  walls.  He  hardly 
noticed  his  visitor,  until  in  a  low,  thrilling  tone  she 
pronounced  his  name.  Then,  as  though  moved  by 
an  electric  shock,  he  sprang  forward,  gasped  the 
single  word  "  Nita !  "  and  clasped  the  girl  to  his 
breast. 

A  few  murmured  words  passed  between  the  two; 
then  he  released  her,  and,  stooping,  she  slipped  some- 
thing from  her  shawl  beneath  one  of  the  forage-bags 
lying  on  the  floor. 

When  the  sergeant  reappeared  at  the  doorway  a 
second  later,  the  Spanish  girl,  looking  perfectly  com- 
posed, was  standing  quietly  at  one  side,  Talmus 
Had  jo  was  regarding  her  with  undisguised  amaze- 
ment, while  Coacoochee,  with  a  new  light  shining 
in  his  face,  was  silently  exchanging  hand-clasps  with 
Ralph  and  Anstice  Boyd. 

"  Rather  a  more  decent  and  civil  sort  of  a  chap 
than  the  other,"  remarked  the  sergeant  as  he  again 
locked  the  door,  and  the  visitors  turned  away.  "  Now 
there's  only  one  more  cell,  and  —  " 

"  I  don't  think  we  care  to  inspect  any  more  cells 
to-day,"  interposed  Anstice,  hastily  ;  and  so  a  few 
minutes  later  the  reunited  party  were  breathing 
once   more   the    outer   air  of   freedom,    while    Mrs. 


IN  THE  DUNGEONS  OF  THE  ANCIENT  FORTRESS      253 

Canby  expressed  very  freely  her  opinion  of  Indians 
in  general  and  of  those  whom  they  had  just  seen  in 
particular. 

While  the  transformation  of  Philip  Emathla's 
adopted  daughter  into  Miss  Annette  Felipe,  clad  in 
the  costume  of  civilization,  and  guest  of  Anstice 
Boyd,  may  appear  as  surprising  to  the  reader  as  it 
did  to  the  captive  war-chief  whom  she  had  just  left 
filled  with  a  new  hope,  it  was  all  brought  about  very 
simply.  On  the  evening  that  Coacoochee  confided 
her  to  the  protection  of  Ralph  Boyd,  that  gentle- 
man, accompanied  by  his  sister,  strolled  down  to  the 
Indian  encampment.  First  they  received  permission 
to  speak  with  the  aged  chieftain,  who  was  summoned 
to  the  lines  for  that  purpose.  A  few  minutes  later 
their  strolling  carried  them  past  the  darkest  corner 
of  the  camp,  where  they  were  joined  by  a  slender 
figure  that  had  slipped  through  the  lines  without 
attracting  the  attention  of  a  guard.  Over  this  fig- 
ure Anstice  threw  a  long  cloak  that  she  had  carried 
on  her  arm,  and  thus  disguised,  Nita  Pacheco  accom- 
panied her  new  friends  to  their  home.  Her  absence 
from  the  Indian  camp  was  not  discovered  until  two 
days  later,  when  Mr.  Troup  Jeffers,  claiming  her 
as  his  escaped  slave,  and  armed  with  an  authority 
from  the  general  for  her  recapture,  visited  the  Indian 
camp  in  search  of  her. 

The  slave-catcher  made  a  great  outcry  when  he 
found  that  his  prey  had  again  eluded  him,  bat  he 


254  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

was  speedily  silenced  by  a  very  unexpected  meeting 
with  Ralph  Boyd,  who  had  been  watching  for  the 
man  who  should  make  that  very  claim. 

At  sight  of  him  whom  he  had  every  reason  to 
believe  was  long  since  dead,  the  scoundrel's  face 
turned  livid,  and  he  staggered  back  like  one  who 
has  received  a  knife-thrust. 

"  Drop  this  business,  and  leave  town  inside  of  an 
hour  if  you  value  your  wretched  life  !  "  hissed  Boyd 
in  his  ear,  and  an  hour  later  St.  Augustine  was  well 
rid  of  Mr.  Troup  Jeffers. 


CHAPTER  -XXXI 

A  DARING  ESCAPE 

Not  until  his  prison  door  was  again  closed,  and 
the  footsteps  of  his  visitors  had  died  away  in  the 
distance,  did  Coacoochee  turn  from  listening,  and 
stoop  to  see  what  it  was  that  Nita  had  brought 
him.  From  under  the  forage-bag  he  first  drew  a 
Spanish  hunting-knife,  beautifully  balanced,  and 
with  the  keen  edge  of  a  razor.  It  was  of  dull  blue 
Toledo  steel,  and  its  shapely  haft  was  exquisitely 
silver-mounted.  At  sight  of  it  the  young  Indian 
uttered  an  exclamation  of  joy,  for  it  was  his  own 
well-tried  weapon,  endeared  by  long  association, 
and  his  unfailing  friend  in  many  a  combat  with 
man  and  beast.  It  had  been  his  father's  before 
him,  and  with  it  Anstice  Boyd  had  severed  the 
bonds  confining  Irwin  Douglass,  when  his  life  hung 
by  a  thread,  in  the  swamp  stronghold  of  Osceola. 
She  had  kept  it  ever  since,  awaiting  an  opportunity 
to  restore  it  to  its  owner,  and  had  now  done  so, 
by  the  hand  of  Nita  Pacheco. 

While  Coacoochee  gloated  over  this  treasure,  his 
comrade  in  captivity  pulled  aside  the  bag  beneath 
which  it  had  been  concealed,  and  disclosed  another 

255 


256  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

object  of  equal  value  with  the  precious  knife.  It 
was  a  coil  of  rope,  slender  and  finely  twisted,  but 
of  a  proved  strength,  capable  of  supporting  the 
weight  of  two  men. 

"Now,  Talmeco,"  cried  Coacoochee,  in  the  Indian 
tongue,  "we  have  something  to  live  for.  Already 
do  I  breathe  again  the  free  air  of  the  forest,  for 
want  of  which  I  had  died  ere  many  da}'s.  Now 
will  we  show  these  dogs  of  the  Iste-hatke  that 
their  cunning  is  no  match  for  that  of  the  Wildcat. 
Again  shall  the  war-cry  of  Coacoochee  ring  through 
hammock  and  swamp,  glade  and  savanna,  and  the 
Iste-hatke  shall  tremble  at  its  sound." 

"  But,"  said  Talmus,  "  was  it  not  one  of  the  Iste- 
hatke  who  brought  us  these  things?  Has  mj 
brother  won  the  heart  of  a  pale-faced  maiden  ?  " 

"  Ho,  ho  !  "  laughed  the  young  chief.  "  Are  the 
eyes  of  Talmeco  grown  so  dim  from  long  gazing  at 
stone  walls  that  he  did  not  see,  through  the  dress 
of  the  white  squaw,  the  form  of  Nita  Pacheco, 
daughter  of  Philip  Emathla,  and  the  beloved  of 
Coacoochee  ?  She  it  was,  and  no  other,  who  found 
a  way  to  this  hole  of  rats,  and  brought  the  means 
of  escape.  Let  us  hasten,  then,  to  make  use  of 
them,  that  she  may  not  be  disappointed." 

"  How  can  we  ?  "  queried  Talmus.  "  There  is 
but  one  opening,  and  it  is  too  small  for  the  passage 
of  a  warrior.  A  boy  could  hardly  make  his  way 
through  it.     Besides,  it  is  too  high  for  us  to  reach, 


A  DARING  ESCAPE  257 

and,  even  if  we  got  outside,  would  we  not  fall  again 
into  the  hands  of  the  soldiers  ?  " 

"  Ho-le-wau-gus,  Talmeco  !  "  exclaimed  the  other. 
"Is  thy  man's  heart  turned  by  thy  captivity  into 
.that  of  Cho-fee  [the  rabbit],  and  art  thou  become 
one  who  trembles  at  the  sight  of  his  own  shadow  ? 
Listen,  that  thy  heart  may  again  become  strong. 
The  Wildcat  will  climb  to  yonder  opening,  and 
show  his  brother  the  way.  It  is  small,  but  we  will 
make  ourselves  smaller.  We  will  go  when  the 
Great  Spirit  has  drawn  his  blanket  over  the  face 
of  the  sky,  so  that  no  light  may  shine  from  it, 
and  no  man  can  see  us.     Is  it  well  ?  " 

"  It  is  well,  my  brother.  Let  Coacoochee  lead,  and 
Talmus  Hadjo  will  follow  in  his  steps." 

For  long  hours  during  the  weary  days  of  captiv- 
ity, had  the  young  chief  lain  on  his  bed  of  bags,  and 
gazed  hopelessly  at  the  single  narrow  opening  in 
the  wall  far  above  him.  He  had  believed  that,  if 
he  could  only  reach  it,  he  could  so  reduce  his  body 
as  to  pass  through  the  aperture.  Now  he  saw  a  way 
to  reach  it.  Standing  on  his  comrade's  shoulders, 
and  using  his  knife,  he  soon  worked  its  point  into  a 
little  crevice  between  the  stones,  just  above  his  head. 
As  Talmus  could  not  support  his  weight  very  long 
at  a  time,  and  as  there  came  days  of  such  frequent 
interruptions  that  they  dared  not  work,  it  was  sev- 
eral weeks  before  the  crevice  was  so  enlarged  that 
it  would  receive  the  knife  up  to  its  hilt.     Then,  by 


258  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

drawing  himself  up  on  it,  Coacoochee  found  to  his 
delight  that  he  could  gain  the  narrow  slit  piercing 
the  thick  wall.  To  his  dismay,  it  was  barely  wide 
enough  to  permit  his  head  to  pass  through,  but  not 
his  body. 

The  prisoners  at  once  decided  to  starve  themselves, 
and  reduce  their  flesh  by  taking  medicine.  This 
they  did,  until  they  became  mere  skeletons,  and 
their  keeper  began  to  fear  that  they  would  die  on 
his  hands. 

In  the  meantime  they  cut  up  many  of  the  bags  on 
which  they  slept,  into  short  lengths,  which  they 
bound  closely,  at  intervals,  about  their  slender  rope, 
so  as  to  afford  a  grasp  for  their  hands.  When  all 
was  in  readiness,  they  were  obliged  to  wait  many 
days  longer  for  a  cloudless  and  moonless  night. 

At  length  it  came  as  dark  as  Erebus,  with  squalls 
of  rain,  and  a  fierce  wind  that  howled  mournfully 
about  the  bastions  and  through  the  embrasures  of 
the  old  fort.  Much  to  the  disgust  of  the  captives, 
one  of  the  prison  keepers  was  in  an  unusually  soci- 
able mood  that  night,  and  made  repeated  visits  to 
their  cell,  talking  and  singing,  until  they  feared 
they  would  be  compelled  to  kill  him,  in  order  to  get 
rid  of  his  presence.  Finally  they  pretended  to  be 
asleep  when  he  entered,  and  upon  this  he  left  them 
for  good. 

The  time  for  action  had  arrived  ;  and,  taking  one 
end  of  the  rope  with  him,  Coacoochee,  stripped  to 


A  DARING   ESCAPE  259 

the  skin,  save  for  a  breech-cloth,  mounted  on  his 
comrade's  shoulders,  felt  for  the  deeply  cut  crevice, 
thrust  his  knife  into  it,  and,  in  another  minute,  had 
gained  the  embrasure.  Here,  after  first  regaining 
and  securing  his  precious  knife,  he  made  the  rope 
fast,  by  passing  a  loop  about  a  projecting  ledge, 
and  leaving  only  enough  inside  for  his  comrade  to 
climb  up  by,  he  passed  the  remainder  through  the 
opening,  and  let  it  drop,  hoping  that  it  might  be  long 
enough  to  reach  ground  at  the  bottom  of  the  moat. 

With  great  difficulty,  the  young  Indian  thrust  his 
head  through  the  narrow  slit.  Then,  with  the 
sharp  stones  tearing  the  skin  from  his  breast  and 
back,  he  slowly  and  painfully  forced  his  body 
through,  being  obliged  to  go  down  the  rope  head 
foremost,  until  his  feet  were  clear  of  the  opening. 
With  each  minute  of  this  desperate  struggle,  it 
seemed  as  though  his  weakened  powers  of  endur- 
ance must  yield  to  the  terrible  strain,  and  that  his 
grasp  on  the  slender  rope  must  relax;  in  which 
case  he  would  have  pitched  headlong  into  the 
yawning  depths  below.  But  the  indomitable  will 
that  had  already  aided  him  so  often  finally  tri- 
umphed over  physical  weakness,  and  after  a  half- 
hour  of  struggle,  the  young  war-chief  slid  in  safety 
down  the  line  that  led  to  freedom,  and  lay  panting 
on  the  ground,  twenty-five  feet  below  the  aperture 
that  had  so  nearly  proved  fatal. 

Fortunately  he  lay  in  the  deep  angle  of  a  bastion, 


260  THROUGH  SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

where  the  shadows  were  blackest,  for  just  then  two 
men,  evidently  officers,  passed  close  to  him  engaged 
in  earnest  conversation.  He  overheard  one  of  them 
say  that  arrangements  were  perfected  for  removing 
all  the  prisoners  on  the  morrow  to  Charleston, 
South  Carolina,  where  they  would  be  beyond  a  possi- 
bility of  rescue  or  escape. 

So  overjoyed  was  Coacoochee  at  thus  learning  of 
the  timeliness  of  his  venture  for  liberty  that  he  be- 
came filled  with  fresh  vigor,  and  feeling  a  movement 
of  the  rope,  that  he  still  held  in  one  hand,  he  instantly 
gave  the  signal  that  all  was  well,  and  the  way  clear 
for  his  comrade  to  descend.  As  he  waited  in 
breathless  anxiety,  he  could  plainly  hear  the  struggle 
that  was  taking  place  far  above  him.  At  length  it 
ceased,  and  in  a  low,  despairing  voice  Talmus  in- 
formed him  that  having  forced  his  head  through  the 
embrasure,  he  could  get  no  further,  nor  could  he 
even  draw  it  back. 

"  Throw  out  thy  breath,  Talmeco,  and  try  again  ! 
Throw  out  thy  heart  and  soul,  if  needs  be,  and  tear 
the  flesh  from  thy  body,"  urged  the  young  chief,  in 
a  voice  little  above  a  whisper,  but  thrilling  in  its 
intensity. 

Thus  adjured,  Talmus  Hadjo  made  one  last  desper- 
ate effort,  with  such  success  that  he  not  only  forced 
his  bleeding  body  through  the  aperture,  but  lost 
his  hold  of  the  rope  and  came  tumbling  down  the 
whole  distance. 


HADJO    LOST   HIS    HOLD   OF   THE    ROPE    AND    CAME    TUMBLING   DOWN   THE 
WHOLE   DISTANCE. 


A  DARING  ESCAPE  261 

With  a  smothered  cry  of  horror,  Coacoochee  sprang 
to  his  side,  and,  feeling  a  faint  heart-beat  in  the 
stunned  and  motionless  form,  dragged  it  to  a  near-by 
pool  of  water.  This  he  dashed  over  the  injured 
man  with  such  effect  that,  in  a  few  minutes,  his  con- 
sciousness returned.  He  was,  however,  so  injured 
by  his  fall  as  to  be  unable  to  walk,  and  feebly 
begged  Coacoochee  to  save  himself  and  leave  him 
to  his  fate.  For  answer  the  young  chief,  with  an 
astonishing  display  of  strength,  considering  his  con- 
dition, picked  up  his  helpless  friend,  slung  him 
across  his  back,  and  thus  bore  him  nearly  half  a 
mile,  to  where  the  palmetto  scrub  afforded  tempo- 
rary concealment. 

Daylight  was  now  breaking,  and  some  means  must 
be  devised  for  moving  rapidly.  So,  depositing  his 
burden  on  the  ground,  Coacoochee  turned  back  to 
an  open  field  in  which  he  had  seen  several  mules. 
Hastily  twisting  some  shredded  palmetto  leaves  into 
a  rude  bridle,  he  had  the  good  fortune  to  capture 
one  of  the  animals,  on  which  he  mounted  both  him- 
self and  his  comrade. 

For  several  hours  they  rode  through  the  trackless 
pine  forest,  and  at  length  reached  a  travelled  road, 
which  it  was  necessary  they  should  cross.  Before 
doing  so  Coacoochee  slipped  from  the  mule  to  assure 
himself  that  no  enemy  was  in  sight.  He  had  gone 
but  a  few  paces,  when  the  animal,  with  a  loud  bray, 
dashed  into  the  open,  and  galloped  madly  towards  a 


262  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

small  party  of  mounted  volunteers,  who  happened  to 
be  making  their  way  towards  the  city. 

The  sight  of  a  single  naked  Indian  dashing  toward 
them  was  too  great  a  temptation  to  be  resisted.  A 
dozen  rifles  poured  forth  their  deadly  contents, 
both  the  mule  and  his  helpless  rider  pitched  head- 
long, and  in  the  death  struggle  of  the  animal,  the 
dead  face  of  Talmus  Hadjo  was  crushed  beyond 
recognition.  One  of  the  white  men,  coolly  and  as 
neatly  as  though  well  accustomed  to  the  operation, 
took  the  scalp  of  the  fallen  warrior.  Then  the 
party  rode  merrily  forward,  exchanging  coarse  jests 
concerning  the  handsome  manner  in  which  the 
redskin  had  been  potted. 

Filled  with  rage  and  grief  at  this  loss  of  his  com- 
panion, Coacoochee  also  hastened  from  the  scene, 
plunging  deep  into  the  recesses  of  a  near-by  ham- 
mock and  vowing  a  future  but  terrible  vengeance 
upon  the  cowardly  perpetrators  of  this  cold-blooded 
murder.  Living  on  berries,  roots,  and  the  succulent 
buds  of  cabbage  palmettoes,  sleeping  naked  on  the 
bare  ground,  and  slinking  from  hammock  to  ham- 
mock like  a  wild  beast  who  is  hunted,  the  fugitive 
worked  his  way  southward  for  three  days. 

On  the  evening  of  the  third  day  he  walked  into 
the  camp  of  his  own  band  on  the  headwaters  of  the 
Tomoka  River.  By  Louis  Pacheco  and  his  warriors 
the  young  chief  was  greeted  as  one  raised  from  the 
dead.     When,  after  they  had  fed  and  clothed  him, 


A   DARING   ESCAPE  263 

they  listened  to  his  wonderful  tale  of  treacherous 
capture,  long  imprisonment,  timely  escape,  and 
the  cruel  death  of  Talmus  Had  jo,  they  vowed 
themselves  to  a  fiercer  resistance  than  ever  of  the 
white  oppressors. 

Within  an  hour  runners  were  despatched  to  sev- 
eral bands  who  were  known  to  be  contemplating  sur- 
render, urging  them  to  abandon  their  intention  and 
continue  the  fight  to  its  bitter  end.  Thus  was 
the  conflict  which  General  Jesup  had  just  declared 
ended,  renewed  with  a  greater  fury  than  ever,  and 
Coacoochee  the  Wildcat  became  the  acknowledged 
leader  of  his  people. 


CHAPTER   XXXII 

NITA  HEARS  THAT  COACOOCHEE  IS  DEAD 

Long  and  anxiously  had  the  friends  of  Coacoochee 
in  St.  Augustine  awaited  the  result  of  their  effort  to 
aid  him  in  regaining  his  freedom.  They  dared  not 
attempt  to  visit  him  again,  lest  by  so  doing  they 
should  arouse  suspicion  and  injure  his  cause  ;  for  the 
two  principal  chiefs  were  so  closely  guarded  that 
visitors  were  only  admitted  to  them  at  long  inter- 
vals and  as  a  great  favor.  So  Nita  was  forced  to 
endure  a  weary  period  of  suspense  and  feverish  anx- 
iety, that  caused  her  to  droop  like  a  transplanted 
forest  lily. 

Although  Ralph  Boyd  sought  daily  for  informa- 
tion concerning  the  prisoners,  he  could  gain  little, 
save  that  of  a  depressing  nature,  much  of  which 
he  and  Anstice  dared  not  share  with  their  guest. 
He  heard  that  Coacoochee's  strength  was  so  weak- 
ened on  confinement  that  it  was  believed  he  could 
not  live  much  longer,  and  there  was  a  rumor  that 
he  and  Osceola  were  to  be  hanged  for  their  per- 
versity in  continuing  the  war. 

In  the  meantime,  the  number  of  Indians  held  cap- 
tive in  St.  Augustine  had  been  greatly  increased  by 

264 


NITA  HEARS  THAT  COACOOCHEE  IS  DEAD   265 

the  bands  of  Micanopy,  Cloud,  Tuskogee,  and  No- 
coosee,  all  of  whom,  urged  to  do  so  by  the  Cherokee 
delegation,  had  accepted  General  Jesup's  invitation 
to  meet  him  for  a  peace  talk.  Again  was  the  flag 
of  truce  violated,  again  was  treachery  substituted  for 
honest  fighting,  and  again  were  the  too  trusting  sav- 
ages seized,  disarmed,  and  sent  to  St.  Augustine  as 
prisoners  of  war. 

So  many  captives  were  now  crowded  into  the  an- 
cient city,  that,  in  order  to  secure  them  beyond  all 
hope  of  escape,  as  well  as  to  make  room  for  others 
who,  it  was  hoped,  might  be  enticed  to  make  peace  in 
a  similar  manner,  it  was  deemed  advisable  to  transfer 
them  to  Charleston.  There  they  could  be  detained 
in  safety  until  the  time  came  for  their  final  removal 
to  the  west.  Preparations  for  this  movement  were 
made  with  great  secrecy,  that  the  Indians  might  not 
learn  of  it  until  the  last  moment.  Transports  were 
secured,  and  finally  it  was  made  known  to  the  offi- 
cers of  the  post  only  that  an  embarkation  would  be 
effected  on  the  following  day. 

Rumors  of  the  contemplated  removal  had  reached 
the  Boyds,  and  had,  of  course,  been  communicated  to 
Nita.  She  declared  that,  if  Coacoochee  did  not  suc- 
ceed in  escaping  before  it  took  place,  she  should  re- 
sume her  position  as  the  adopted  daughter  of  Philip 
Emathla,  and  so  follow  her  lover  into  exile.  In  this 
determination,  Anstice  warmly  upheld  her  friend, 
but  begged  her  to  wait  until  the  latest  possible  mo- 


2G6  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

ment,  before  exchanging  her  present  security  for  the 
uncertain  fate  of  a  captive. 

One  evening,  Lieutenant  Douglass,  who,  having 
safely  passed  the  ordeal  of  a  court-martial,  and,  hon- 
orably acquitted,  had  been  restored  to  duty,  called 
on  the  Boy  els.  In  course  of  conversation  with  An- 
stice  he  casually  remarked,  that  the  morrow  would 
probably  offer  the  last  chance  they  would  ever  have 
of  seeing  their  friend  Coacoochee. 

"  What  do  you  mean?"  asked  the  startled  girl. 

"  I  mean  that  the  Indians  in  St.  Augustine  are 
to  be  embarked  for  Charleston  to-morrow  morning ; 
and  Coacoochee,  poor  fellow,  is  reported  to  be  in 
such  wretched  health  that  it  is  not  probable  he  can 
live  long,  especially  in  a  climate  so  much  colder 
than  this." 

Nita,  who  sat  in  another  part  of  the  room,  list- 
lessly engaged  in  a  bit  of  fancy-work,  glanced  up 
quickly  as  she  caught  the  name  of  her  captive  lover. 
She  did  not  hear  what  else  the  young  officer  said, 
and  waited  eagerly  for  his  going,  that  she  might 
question  her  friend.  Anstice,  on  her  part,  was  so 
impatient  to  communicate  to  Nita  the  news  she  had 
just  learned,  and  became  so  absent-minded  in  her 
conversation  with  Douglass,  that  he  suspected  some- 
thing had  gone  wrong,  and  so  took  his  departure 
earlier  than  usual. 

Long  and  earnestly  did  the  two  girls,  who  had 
grown  to  love  each  other  like  sisters,  talk  together 


NITA  HEARS  THAT   COACOOCHEE   IS   DEAD      267 

that  night.  Very  early  the  next  morning,  escorted 
by  Ralph  Boyd,  they  left  the  house  and  turned  in 
the  direction  of  Philip  Emathla's  encampment.  Nita 
had  resumed  her  Indian  dress,  but  over  it  she  wore 
the  same  long  cloak  that  had  served  to  disguise  her 
on  a  former  occasion.  Its  hood  was  drawn  over 
her  head  and  about  her  face,  so  that  but  little  of 
her  features  could  be  distinguished. 

As  they  hastened  through  the  narrow  streets  of  the 
quaintly  built  city,  their  attention  was  attracted  by 
a  clatter  of  iron-shod  hoofs,  and  a  mounted  officer  in 
service  uniform  came  dashing  toward  them.  It  was 
Irwin  Douglass,  and  he  reined  up  sharply  at  sight  of 
his  friends.  As  he  lifted  his  cap  to  the  ladies,  he 
exclaimed : 

"  Well,  you  are  early  birds  this  morning  !  I  sup- 
pose you  have  heard  the  great  news  and  are  come 
out  to  verify  it  ?  " 

"No,  we  haven't  heard  any  news;  what  is  it?" 
asked  Boyd. 

"Coacoochee  has  escaped  from  the  fort!  got  out 
somehow  during  the  storm  last  night,  and  made  off. 
The  general  is  in  a  terrible  temper  over  it.  I  am 
ordered  out  with  a  scouting  party  to  see  if  we  can 
pick  up  the  trail.  So  I  must  hurry  on.  Good-bye." 
In  another  minute  the  bearer  of  this  startling  bit 
of  news  was  clattering  away  down  the  street,  while 
the  three  who  were  left  stood  staring  blankly  at  one 
another. 


268  THROUGH   SWAMP   AND   GLADE 

Nita  was  saying  over  and  over  to  herself,  "  Coa- 
coochee  has  escaped,  has  escaped,  and  is  free.  Oh! 
how  happy  I  am!  And  that  soldier  is  going  to  try 
and  recapture  him.  Oh,  how  I  hate  him!  But  he 
cannot.  Coacoochee  is  free,  and  will  never  let  them 
take  him  again.     Oh,  how  happy  I  am!  " 

As  Anstice  Boyd  reflected  upon  the  full  meaning 
of  what  she  had  just  heard,  her  heart  was  crying 
out :  "  Coacoochee  has  escaped,  and  I  aided  him. 
Now  Irwin  has  gone  to  find  him.  They  will  meet 
and  kill  each  other.  I  know  they  will!  Oh!  why 
did  I  do  it  ?     Why  did  I  do  it  ?  " 

Ralph  Boyd  expressed  his  feelings  aloud  by  ex- 
claiming :  "  That  is  one  of  the  best  bits  of  news  I 
have  heard  in  many  a  day.  It  will  continue  the 
war,  no  doubt,  but  I  don't  care  if  it  does.  Serve 
the  sneaks  right  who  thought  to  end  it  by  treachery. 
They  will  get  some  greatly  needed  lessons  in  honest 
fighting  now." 

"  You  don't  mean  Mr.  Douglass,  brother  ?  " 

"  Douglass  ?  No  !  Bless  his  honest  soul !  He's 
no  sneak,  but  only  an  unfortunate  victim  of  circum- 
stances. But  never  you  fear,  sister.  Douglass  won't 
catch  Coacoochee,  even  if  he  has  to  ride  half  around 
the  territory  to  avoid  him.  He  is  too  honorable  a 
fellow  to  do  a  mean  thing,  or  forget  a  debt  of  grati- 
tude. If  Douglass  is  the  only  one  sent  after  him, 
Coacoochee  is  all  right.  I  am  afraid,  though, 
there   are   others.      I'll  find  out   as  soon  as  I   get 


NITA   HEARS  THAT   COACOOCHEE   IS   DEAD      269 

you  two  back  to  the  house.  What!  Not  going 
back?" 

"  Not  just  yet,  brother.  Nita  wants  to  be  the  first 
to  tell  the  great  news  to  Coacoochee's  father,  so  as 
.to  give  the  old  man  courage  to  bear  his  exile  and 
his  sad  journey.  She  wants  to  bid  him  good-bye 
too,  for  of  course  she  will  not  go  with  him  now." 

"  Of  course  not,  and  I  suppose  we  must  let  her  do 
as  she  wishes,"  agreed  Boyd,  reluctantly.  "  I  hope, 
though,  she  will  be  very  careful  not  to  be  recog- 
nized." 

"I  will  see  that  she  is  careful,  brother." 

So  the  three  continued  their  way  to  the  Indian 
camp,  which  they  found  in  a  state  of  dire  confusion 
on  account  of  the  order  for  removal  just  received. 
There  were  already  many  white  persons  in  the  camp  ; 
soldiers  who  were  hastening  the  preparations,  and 
mere  curiosity-seekers  who  were  retarding  them  by 
their  useless  presence.  All  of  these,  as  well  as  the 
Indians  themselves,  gazed  curiously  at  the  two  ladies 
and  the  stalwart  young  Englishman,  who  walked 
directly  to  the  tent  of  Philip  Emathla.  The  old 
man,  who  was  sitting  in  a  sort  of  a  daze  just  out- 
side, recognized  Ralph  Boyd  at  once,  and  when 
Nita  stooped  and  whispered  in  his  ear,  he  imme- 
diately rose  and  followed  her  inside  the  canvas 
shelter.  Anstice  also  went  inside,  and  the  flap  cur- 
taining the  entrance  was  dropped,  leaving  Boyd  out- 
side on  guard. 


270  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

As  lie  gazed  curiously  on  the  novel  scene  about 
him,  and  even  walked  a  few  steps  to  one  side 
the  better  to  observe  it,  a  white  man  of  sinister 
aspect  passed  him  twice,  each  time  regarding  him 
furtively  but  keenly.  Suddenly  he  darted  to  the 
tent,  pulled  aside  the  flap,  and  thrust  his  head 
inside. 

A  startled  cry  from  the  interior  attracted  Boyd's 
attention,  and,  ere  the  man  had  time  for  more  than 
a  glimpse,  he  was  seized  by  the  collar,  and  jerked 
violently  backward. 

"  What  do  you  mean,  scoundrel  !  by  your  rascally 
intrusion  into  other  folk's  privacy  ?  "  demanded  the 
young  Englishman,  hotly.  "  I've  a  mind  to  give 
you  the  kicking  you  deserve." 

"  I  didn't  mean  nothin',  cap'n,"  whined  the  man, 
squirming  in  the  other's  fierce  clutch.  "I  didn't 
know  thar  was  any  privacy  in  thar.  I'm  thought 
'twas  only  Injuns  ;  and  I'm  got  orders  to  take  that 
tent  down  immejiate." 

"  Well,  you  won't  take  it  down,  not  yet  awhile  ; 
and  you'll  vanish  from  here  as  quick  as  possible. 
So  get  !  " 

With  the  utterance  of  this  expressive  Americanism 
the  speaker  released  the  man,  and  at  the  same  time 
administered  a  hearty  kick  that  caused  its  recipient 
to  howl  with  anguish.  Ere  he  disappeared  he 
turned  a  look  of  venomous  hate  at  his  assailant  and 
muttered  : 


NITA    HEARS   THAT   COACOOCHEE   IS   DEAD       271 

"  I'll  git  even  with  you  for  this,  curse  you  ! 
Anyway,  I  saw  what  I  wanted  to  see,  and  I  know 
whar  the  gal's  to  be  found." 

He  was  Ross  Ruffin,  Mr.  Troup  Jeffers'  human 
jackal,  who,  at  the  bidding  of  his  master,  had  been 
hanging  about  the  Indian  camp  for  weeks,  watching 
for  the  reappearance  of  Nita  Pacheco.  His  sus- 
picions had  just  been  aroused  by  the  disappearance, 
into  Philip  Emathla's  tent,  of  two  ladies,  and  in  the 
single  glimpse  caught  by  his  bold  manoeuvre  they 
had  been  confirmed.  He  had  seen  Nita,  whose  cloak 
having  fallen  to  the  ground,  was  fully  revealed  in 
her  Indian  costume,  standing  with  her  hands  on 
the  old  chieftain's  shoulders  and  imparting  to  him 
the  glorious  news  of  Coacoochee's  escape  from  cap- 
tivity. Now  all  that  he  had  .to  do  was  to  discover 
whether  the  girl  accompanied  the  Indians  to  Charles- 
ton or  remained  behind,  and  this  information  he  had 
acquired  ere  nightfall. 

Nita  had  not  seen  him,  and  it  was  Anstice  who 
uttered  the  cry  that  attracted  her  brother's  attention. 
Of  course  neither  of  them  recognized  the  man,  nor 
when,  a  little  later,  they  returned  to  the  house  that 
Nita  had  believed  on  leaving  she  should  never 
see  again,  did  they  notice  that  he  was  stealthily 
following  them  at  a  distance.  After  that  he 
watched  the  embarkation  of  the  captives,  to  assure 
himself  that  Nita  Pacheco  did  not  accompany  them. 
As  the  transports   sailed,  Ross  Ruffin  also  left  the 


272  THROUGH  SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

city,  and  that  night  he  held  a  conference  with  Mr. 
Troup  Jeffers. 

The  inmates  of  the  Boyd  house  experienced  min- 
gled feelings  of  satisfaction  at  Coacoochee's  escape, 
apprehension  lest  he  should  be  recaptured,  and  anx- 
iety in  behalf  of  their  friend  Douglass.  Only  Nita 
was  confident  and  light  hearted. 

"  He  will  not  be  caught,"  she  said,  "  nor  will  he 
harm  your  friend  ;  we  shall  hear  from  him  very  soon 
by  some  means." 

She  was  right ;  they  did  hear  very  soon,  and  when 
the  news  came,  it  was  of  such  a  terrible  nature  that 
the  others  would  gladly  have  kept  it  from  her. 
Lieutenant  Douglass,  returning  at  nightfall  from 
his  scout,  went  directly  to  the  Boyds'  house  ;  and, 
in  answer  to  the  eager  queries  that  greeted  his  en- 
trance, said : 

"  Yes  ;  I  found  him,  poor  fellow  !  About  a  dozen 
miles  from  the  city  we  met  a  squad  of  volunteer 
cavalry.  In  reply  to  my  question  if  they  had  seen 
any  sign  of  Coacoochee,  who  had  just  escaped  from 
the  fort,  one  of  them  said  :  '  You  bet  we  have, 
cap'n,  and  here's  his  scalp.'     With  that  — " 

Here  the  speaker  was  interrupted  by  a  stifled  cry 
and  a  heavy  fall.  Nita  Pacheco  lay  unconscious  on 
the  floor.  The  two  men  bore  her  to  a  bed  in  an 
adjoining  room,  where  they  left  her  to  the  gentle 
care  of  Anstice.  When  they  returned  to  the  outer 
room,  Douglass  asked  curiously  : 


NITA  HEARS  THAT   COACOOCHEE    IS   DEAD      273 

"What  does  it  mean,  Boyd?  What  possible  inter- 
est can  your  guest  have  in  Coacoochee  ?  " 

"  My  dear  fellow,  I  see  now  that  we  ought  to  have 
told  you  sooner,  and  so  saved  her  this  cruel  blow. 
She  is  Nita  Pacheco,  Spanish  by  descent,  but  Indian 
"by  association  and  bringing  up.  She  is  the  adopted 
daughter  of  Philip  Emathla,  and  the  betrothed  of 
Coacoochee." 

"Good  Heavens!"  cried  Douglass.  "No  wonder 
she  fell  when  struck  such  a  blow.  What  a  brute 
she  must  think  me." 

"Don't  blame  yourself,  old  man,"  said  Boyd, 
soothingly ;  "  the  fault  lies  entirely  with  us.  But 
are  you  certain  that  Coacoochee  is  dead?" 

"  The  man  who  scalped  him  said  he  knew  him 
Avell,  and  could  swear  to  his  identity.  We  went  on 
to  examine  and  bury  the  body,  and  it  answered  fully 
the  description  of  Coacoochee.  Oh  yes,  there  is  no 
doubt  that  he  is  dead,  though  his  companion  has 
thus  far  eluded  all  search.  In  one  way,  I  suppose 
his  death  will  be  a  good  thing  for  the  country  ;  but 
I  must  confess,  that  for  the  sake  of  that  poor  girl, 
I  would  gladly  restore  him  to  life  if  I  could,  and 
take  the  consequences.  Well,  good  night.  Make 
the  best  apologies  you  can  for  me  to  Miss  Anstice." 


CHAPTER  XXXIII 

TOLD   BY    THE    MAGNOLIA    SPRING 

The  reported  death  of  Coacoochee,  which  was  gen- 
erally believed,  gave  great  satisfaction  to  the  peo- 
ple of  Florida,  and  to  the  troops  who  had  been  for 
so  long  engaged  in  the  thankless  task  of  trying  to 
subdue  the  Seminoles.  With  many  of  their  lead- 
ing chiefs  removed  beyond  hope  of  return,  and  with 
their  most  daring  spirit  dead,  the  Indians  must,  of 
course,  relinquish  all  hopes  of  successfully  continu- 
ing the  struggle.  So  the  war  was  supposed  to  be 
ended,  and  many  families  of  refugees  now  returned 
to  their  abandoned  homes. 

Among  these  were  the  Boycls,  who  had  no  longer 
any  reason  for  remaining  in  St.  Augustine,  and  who 
were  particularly  anxious  to  remove  Nita  from  the 
sorrowful  associations  surrounding  her  there.  She 
was  slow  to  recover  from  the  shock  caused  by  the 
news  of  her  lover's  death,  but  as  soon  as  she  was 
able  to  bear  the  journey,  they  took  her  with  them 
to  the  plantation,  which  they  begged  her  to  consider 
her  own  home. 

Ralph  Boyd  began  at  once  the  energetic  restora- 
tion of  his  property.     A  few  of  the  old  servants  had 

274 


TOLD   BY   THE   MAGNOLIA   SPRING  275 

already  found  their  way  back,  and  others,  tired  of 
dwelling  amid  the  constant  alarms  of  Indian  camps, 
began  to  arrive  in  small  bands,  as  soon  as  they  heard 
that  the  proprietor  had  returned,  until  nearly  the 
whole  of  the  original  force  of  the  plantation  was  re- 
stored to  it.  Aided  by  these  free  and  willing  work- 
men, the  young  planter  repaired  the  great  house  and 
numerous  outbuildings,  cleared  and  replanted  the 
weed-grown  fields,  trimmed  the  luxuriant  growth 
of  climbing  vines  and  shrubbery,  and,  within  a  few 
months,  could  gaze  with  honest  pride  over  an  estate 
unexcelled  for  beauty  by  any  in  Florida. 

In  these  undertakings  Nita  tried,  for  the  sake 
of  her  friends,  to  exhibit  an  interest,  and  in  their 
presence  to  appear  cheerfully  content.  With  all 
her  efforts,  however,  she  could  not  conceal  the  fact 
that  she  was  pining  for  her  old  forest  life,  and 
would  gladly  exchange  the  luxuries  of  civilization 
for  the  rude  camp  of  her  warrior  lover,  could  he 
but  be  restored  to  her.  She  spent  much  time,  clad 
in  her  Indian  costume,  and  roaming  the  wilder  por- 
tions of  the  plantation,  mounted  on  one  of  those 
fleet-footed  ponies  for  which  Florida  was  famous, 
and  which  were  descendants  of  the  old  Andalusian 
stock  brought  over  by  De  Soto.  One  of  the  girl's 
favorite  haunts  was  the  bank  of  a  spring  that  boiled 
from  a  bed  of  snow-white  sand,  amid  a  clump  of 
stately  magnolias,  about  a  mile  from  the  great 
house.     Here    she    would    sit    for    hours,    plaiting 


276  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

sweet-scented  grasses  into  graceful  shapes,  as  she 
had  learned  to  do  among  the  maidens  of  King 
Philip's  village ;  but  always  thinking  such  sad 
thoughts  that  her  work  was  often  wet  with  scald- 
ing tears.  At  such  times  Ko-ee,  as  she  called  her 
pony,  circled  about  her  in  unrestrained  liberty, 
nibbling  at  grasses  or  leaves,  here  and  there,  but 
always  quick  to  come  at  her  call,  and  behaving 
much  like  a  well-trained  watch-dog,  fully  aware  of 
the  responsibility  of  his  position. 

One  mild  and  hazy  afternoon  early  in  the  new 
year,  when  the  weather  was  of  that  degree  of  per- 
fection that  it  so  often  attains  just  before  the  com- 
ing of  a  "  Norther,"  Nita  sat  by  her  favorite  spring, 
and  Ko-ee  browsed  near  at  hand.  All  at  once  the 
pony  uttered  a  snort,  pricked  up  his  delicate  ears, 
and  began  to  move  uneasily  toward  his  mistress. 
As  she  glanced  up  from  her  work,  she  was  filled 
with  terror  at  the  sight  of  a  man  standing  but  a 
few  paces  away,  and  regarding  her  earnestly.  Her 
first  impulse  was  to  fly,  and  her  next  was  to  fling 
herself  into  his  arms ;  for  in  that  instant  she  recog- 
nized the  brother  whom  she  had  not  seen  since  that 
night  of  cruel  separation  nearly  four  years  before. 

"Louis!"  she  cried.  "Louis,  my  brother!  Is  it 
you  ?  Are  you  really  alive  ?  I  thought  you  were 
dead,  together  with  all  whom  I  have  ever  loved. 
I  knew  you  had  escaped  and  joined  our  friends  in 
lighting  for  their  rights  and  our  rights  ;   but  they 


NITA    SAT    BY    HKR    FAVORITE   SPRING 


TOLD  BY  THE   MAGNOLIA   SPRING  277 

told  me  you  were  killed,  and  I  thought  I  was  alone 
in  the  world." 

"Even  if  I  had  been  killed,  dear,  you  would  not 
be  alone,  so  long  as  Coacoochee  is  left;  for  he —  " 

"Louis!     How  dare  you?     He  is  dead!" 

"  Dead,  sister !  Coacoochee  dead,  when  he  but 
now  sent  me  here  to  find  you ;  when  but  four  days 
ago  I  fought  by  his  side  in  the  fiercest  and  most 
splendid  battle  of  this  war?  He  was  wounded,  to 
be  sure,  though  not  seriously;  but  as  for  his  being 
dead,  he  is  no  more  dead  than  you  or  I.  What 
could  have  put  such  a  belief  into  your  mind  ?  " 

For  a  moment  the  girl  stared  at  her  brother 
with  unbelieving  eyes  and  colorless  face.  "Is  it 
true?"  she  whispered  at  length.  "Can  it  be  true? 
Tell  me,  Louis,  that  you  are  not  saying  this  thing 
to  tease  me,  as  you  used  when  we  were  children. 
Tell  me  quick,  brother,  for  I  can  bear  the  suspense 
no  longer." 

As  Louis  assured  her  that  he  had  spoken  only  the 
truth,  and  that  her  lover  still  lived,  the  girl's  over- 
strained feelings  gave  way,  and  she  sank  to  the 
ground,  sobbing,  and  panting  for  breath. 

Louis  Pacheco,  clad  in  the  costume  of  a  Seminole 
warrior,  battle  worn,  and  travel  stained,  sat  by  his 
sister's  side  and  soothed  her  into  quietness.  Then 
he  told  her  the  story  of  the  great  fight  on  the 
shore  of  Lake  Okeechobee.  He  told  how  Coacoo- 
chee and   three    other    chiefs,   with   less   than    five 


278  THROUGH  SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

hundred  warriors,  fought  for  three  hours  in  the 
saw-grass  and  tangled  hammock  growth,  against 
eleven  -hundred  white  troops  under  General  Zach- 
ary  Taylor,  and  finally  retired  for  want  of  ammu- 
nition, taking  with  them  their  thirteen  dead  and 
nineteen  wounded.  "  The  white  soldiers  were  killed 
until  they  lay  on  the  ground  in  heaps,  and  their 
wounded  could  not  be  counted.  If  we  had  only 
had  plenty  of  powder,  and  as  good  guns  as  they, 
we  would  not  have  left  one  of  them  alive,"  con- 
cluded the  narrator,  fiercely. 

"  Oh,  Louis,  it  is  awful !  "  cried  the  girl,  with  a 
shudder. 

"  What  is  awful  ?  That  we  left  so  many  of 
them  alive  ?     Yes ;    so  it  is,  but  —  " 

"  I  do  not  mean  that.  I  mean  this  terrible 
fighting." 

uYes,  sister,  the  fighting  is  terrible,  and  so  is 
the  suffering ;  but  neither  is  so  terrible  as  tamely 
submitting  to  slavery,  and  injustice,  and  oppression, 
and  the  loss  of  everything  you  hold  most  dear  on 
earth.  Those  are  the  terrible  things  that  the  whites 
are  trying  to  force  upon  us.  But  we  will  never 
submit.  We  will  fight,  and  cheerfully  die,  if  needs 
be,  as  free  men,  rather  than  live  as  slaves.  As 
for  the  white  man's  word,  I  will  never  trust  it. 
Coacoochee  trusted  it,  and  it  led  him  to  a  prison. 
Osceola  trusted  it,  and  it  led  him  to  death.  Mi- 
canopy  trusted  it,  and  it  led  him  into  exile." 


TOLD   BY  THE   MAGNOLIA   SPRING  279 

"  But,  Louis,  some  of  the  whites  are  honorable. 
The  Boyds  have  treated  me  like  an  own  sister, 
and,  but  for  them,  Coacoochee  would  not  now  be 
free." 

"  Yes,"  admitted  Louis,  with  softened  voice. 
"  Coacoochee  has  told  me  of  them,  and  with  my 
life  would  I  repay  their  kindness  to  you  and  to 
him.  With  them  you  are  safe,  and  with  them  will 
I  gladly  leave  my  sister  until  such  time  as  I  can 
make  a  free  home  for  her." 

"  Oh,  Louis  !  Haven't  you  come  for  me  ?  Can't 
I  go  with  you  ?  " 

"  Not  now,  Ista-chee  [little  one] .  Here  is  greatest 
safety  for  you  ;  for  to  all  the  Iste-chatte  has  word 
been  sent  that  none  may  harm  this  place,  nor  come 
near  it.  The  suffering  of  the  women  and  children 
with  us  is  very  great,  and  I  would  not  have  you 
share  it.  Now  I  must  go ;  for  I  am  sent  to  notify 
the  northern  bands  of  our  victory,  and  bid  them 
follow  it  up  with  fierce  blows  from  all  sides.  In 
two  days  will  I  come  to  this  place  again,  when,  if 
you  have  any  token  or  message  for  Coacoochee,  I 
will  take  it  to  him.  Soon  he  hopes  to  come  for 
you  himself,  and  until  that  time  you  must  wait 
patiently." 

So  saying,  and  after  one  more  fond  embrace  of 
his  sister,  Louis  disappeared  in  the  undergrowth, 
leaving  Nita  radiant  and  filled  Avith  a  new  life. 
Her  brother  had  bound  her  to  secrecy  concerning 


280  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

his  visit,  at  least  until  he  had  come  and  gone  again, 
but  she  could  not  restrain  the  unwonted  ring  of  hap- 
piness in  her  voice,  nor  banish  the  light  from  her 
face.  Both  of  these  things  were  noted  by  Anstice, 
as  she  met  the  girl  on  her  return  to  the  house. 

"  Why,  Nita  !  What  has  happened  ?  "  she  ex- 
claimed. "Never  have  I  seen  you  look  so  happy. 
One  would  think  you  had  heard  some  glorious 
news.     What  is  it,  dear  ?  " 

"  Please,  Anstice,  don't  ask  me  ;  for,  much  as  I 
am  longing  to  tell  you,  I  can't  ;  that  is,  not  for  a 
few  days.  Then  I  will  tell  you  everything.  But 
I  am  happy.     Oh,  I  am  so  happy  !  " 

With  this,  the  girl  darted  away  to  her  own  room, 
leaving  Anstice  in  a  state  of  bewilderment  not  un- 
mixed with  vexation. 

"  I'm  sure  she  might  have  told  me,"  she  said  to 
herself.  "It  can't  be  anything  so  very  important, 
for  there  is  no  possible  way  of  receiving  news  at 
this  out-of-the-world  place,  unless  it  is  brought  by 
special  messenger,  and  none  could  arrive  Avithout 
my  knowledge.  I  do  believe,  though,  that  one  is 
coming  now." 

Anstice  was  standing  on  the  broad  front  veran- 
dah, over  which  was  trained  a  superb  Lamarque 
rose,  so  as  to  form  a  complete  screen  from  the 
evening  sun.  Her  ear  had  caught  the  sound  of 
hoof -beats,  and,  as  she  parted  the  vines  before  her, 
she  saw  two  horsemen  coming  up  the  long  oleander 


TOLD  BY  THE   MAGNOLIA   SPRING  281 

avenue.  Both  were  in  uniform,  and  it  needed  but 
a  glance  for  the  blushing  girl  to  discover  the  iden- 
tity of  the  foremost  rider.  It  was  Irwin  Douglass, 
hot,  dusty,  and  weary  with  long  travel.  He  dis- 
mounted, tossed  his  bridle  to  the  orderly,  who  rode 
back  toward  the  stables  with  both  horses,  and  slowly 
ascended  the  steps. 

As  he  gained  the  verandah,  his  bronzed  face 
flushed  with  pleasure  at  sight  of  the  daintily  clad 
girl  who  was  stepping  forward  with  outstretched 
hand  to  greet  him. 

"•Oh,  Miss  Anstice !  If  you  could  only  realize 
how  like  a  bit  of  heaven  this  seems  !  "  he  exclaimed. 

"You  must  indeed  have  undergone  hardships  to 
find  your  ideal  of  heaven  in  this  stupid  place," 
laughed  the  girl,  at  the  same  time  gently  dis- 
engaging her  hand,  which  the  young  man  seemed 
inclined  to  hold.  "  Now  sit  down,  and  don't  speak 
another  word  until  I  have  ordered  some  refresh- 
ments, for  you  look  too  utterly  weary  to  talk." 

"  But  I  have  so  much  to  tell,  and  so  short  a  time 
to  tell  it  in,"  remonstrated  the  lieutenant.  "I 
must  be  off  again  in  an  hour." 

"  Never  mind  ;  I  won't  listen  to  such  a  woe-begone 
individual.  Besides,  Ralph  will  want  to  hear  your 
news  as  well." 

With  this,  Anstice  disappeared  in  the  house,  and 
Douglass  sank  wearily  into  a  great  easy-chair. 

Directly  afterward  Ralph  Boyd  appeared  with  a 


282  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

hearty  greeting,  and  a  demand  to  hear  all  the  news 
at  once.  Before  his  desire  conld  be  gratified,  his 
sister  returned  with  a  basket  of  oranges,  and  followed 
by  a  maid  bearing  a  tray  of  decanters,  glasses,  and  a 
jug  of  cool  spring  water. 

"These  will  save  you  from  immediate  collapse," 
said  the  fair  hostess,  "  and  something  more  substan- 
tial will  follow  very  shortly.  Now,  sir,  unfold  your 
budget  of  news,  for  I  am  dying  to  hear  it." 

"  Well,"  began  Douglass,  "  there  has  been  the 
biggest  fight  of  the  war,  away  down  south  on  the 
shore  of  Lake  Okeechobee,  and  I  was  in  it." 

"  Oh  !  "  exclaimed  Anstice. 

"  That,  of  course,  is  nothing  wonderful,"  continued 
the  young  soldier,  "  but  it  is  surprising  that  I  came 
out  of  it  without  a  scratch,  for  there  were  plenty 
who  did  not.  On  our  side  we  left  twenty-six  dead 
on  the  field,  and  brought  away  one  hundred  and 
twenty  severely  wounded,  besides  a  few  score  more 
suffering  from  minor  injuries." 

"  Whew  !  "  ejaculated  Ralph  Boyd.  "  Who  was  in 
command?" 

"  General  Taylor,  on  our  side.  And  now  for  my 
most  surprising  bit  of  news."  Here  the  speaker 
hesitated  and  looked  carefully  about  him.  "  I  want 
to  be  cautious  this  time,"  he  said.  "But  it  was 
confidently  asserted  by  scouts  and  prisoners  that 
the  Indian  commander  was  no  other  than  our  late 
lamented  friend,  the  Wildcat." 


TOLD   BY  THE   MAGNOLIA   SPRING  283 

"  Coacoochee  !  So  that  was  Nita's  secret  !  "  cried 
Anstice.  "  I  might  have  known  that  nothing  else 
would  make  her  look  so  radiant.  Oh  !  I  am  so 
glad  !  " 

"  What  do  you  mean  ?  "  demanded  the  astonished 
lieutenant.  "  How  could  she  have  heard  anything 
about  the  battle,  when  I  have  just  come  from  the 
field  with  despatches  for  St.  Augustine,  and  have 
ridden  almost  without  stopping  ?  " 

"  I  don't  know,  for  she  wouldn't  tell  me  ;  but  I 
am  certain  she  did  hear  some  time  this  afternoon. 
But  oh !  Mr.  Douglass,  we  are  so  thankful  that  you 
escaped  so  splendidly.  It  must  have  been  awful. 
Of  course  you  gained  the  victory,  though  ?  " 

"  I  don't  quite  know  about  that,"  replied  the  lieu- 
tenant, doubtfully.  "  We  silenced  their  fire,  and 
drove  them  from  the  field  after  a  three-hours  fight  ; 
but  it  is  said  that  they  had  less  than  half  our  num- 
ber of  men,  and  we  are  in  full  retreat.  Officially,  of 
course,  we  have  won  a  victory  ;  but  it  wouldn't  take 
more  than  two  or  three  such  victories  to  use  up  the 
whole  Florida  army." 

They  discussed  the  exciting  event  for  an  hour 
longer,  and  then  Douglass  was  reluctantly  forced  to 
continue  his  journey.  When  lie  left,  he  promised 
to  be  back  in  three  days'  time,  as  his  orders  were 
to  proceed  from  St.  Augustine  to  Tampa. 

This  promise  was  fulfilled  ;  but  when  the  lieu- 
tenant again  drew  rein  before  the  hospitable  planta- 


284  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

tion  house,  that  seemed  so  much  like  a  home  to  him, 
he  found  its  inmates  filled  with  anxiety  and  alarm. 
Nita  Pacheco  had  disappeared  under  very  mysterious 
circumstances  the  evening  before,  and  no  trace  of 
her  whereabouts  or  fate  could  be  discovered. 


CHAPTER  XXXIV 

FOLLOWING   A  MYSTERIOUS   TRAIL 

Nit  A  had  not  appeared  during  the  lieutenant's 
former  brief  visit  to  the  plantation,  and  when,  on  his 
departure,  Anstice  sought  her  to  charge  her  with 
having  already  learned  that  Coacoochee  still  lived, 
the  happy  girl  made  no  denial  of  her  knowledge. 
At  the  same  time  she  would  not  reveal  the  source 
of  her  information,  though  when  Anstice  declared 
her  belief  that  Nita  had  seen  the  young  chief  him- 
self, the  latter  denied  that  such  was  the  case.  "  He 
is  wounded,"  she  added,  "and  could  not  come.  Be- 
sides," she  continued  proudly,  "  he  is  now  head  chief 
of  the  Seminole  nation,  and  has  much  to  think  of. 
But  he  remembered  me,  and  sent  me  a  message." 

"  Remembered  you,  indeed  !  "  cried  Anstice.  "I 
should  think  he  ought  to ;  but  I  am  sorry  to  hear 
that  he  is  wounded,  for  he  is  a  splendid  fellow.  Isn't 
it  wonderful,  though,  that  Lieutenant  Douglass  went 
through  that  same  awful  battle,  and  came  out  with- 
out injury.     I  can't  understand  it." 

"  In  a  battle  where  Coacoochee  commands,  no 
friend  of  Ralph  Boyd  can  be  struck,  save  by  acci- 
dent," replied  Nita,  simply. 

285 


286  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

"  Do  you  believe  that  ?  If  I  thought  it  were  true, 
I  should  love  your  Iudian  hero  almost  as  much  as 
you  do,  dear.  I  wonder,  though,  if  that  can  be  the 
secret  of  Irwin's  escape  ?  " 

So  the  two  girls  talked  and  became  drawn  more 
closely  to  each  other  with  their  exchange  of  innocent 
confidences. 

On  the  following  day,  Nita  rode  Ko-ee  as  usual, 
though  not  in  the  direction  of  the  magnolia  spring  ; 
but  on  the  one  after,  she  haunted  its  banks  for  hours. 
She  went  to  it  in  the  morning,  reluctantly  returning 
to  the  house  for  lunch  and  to  have  Ko-ee  fed  at  noon, 
and  made  her  way  back  to  the  place  appointed  for 
meeting  her  brother,  as  soon  afterwards  as  she  could 
frame  a  decent  excuse  for  so  doing. 

She  was  in  the  gayest  of  spirits  as  she  rode  away, 
and  she  laughingly  called  back  to  Anstice,  "To- 
morrow, dear,  I  am  going  to  spend  the  whole  day 
with  you." 

"Isn't  it  a  pleasure  to  see  her  so  happy?"  asked 
Anstice  of  her  brother,  as  they  watched  the  girl  ride 
away.  "And  did  you  ever  see  such  a  change  in 
so  short  a  time?  A  few  days  ago  she  was  listless 
and  apparently  indifferent  whether  she  lived  or  not. 
Now  she  is  full  of  life,  and  interested  in  everything. 
Then,  I  did  not  consider  her  even  good-looking  ; 
while  at  this  minute,  she  seems  to  me  one  of  the 
most  beautiful  girls  I  ever  saw." 

"Yes,"  replied  Boyd,  "I  have  noticed  the  change; 


FOLLOWING  A   MYSTEEIOUS  TRAIL  287 

but  I  wish,  Anstice,  you  would  persuade  her  to  give 
up  these  lonely  rambles ;  though  she  has  promised  me 
not  to  go  beyond  the  limits  of  the  plantation,  I  can't 
help  feeling  uneasy.  If  I  weren't  so  awfully  busy, 
I  would  ride  with  her  myself,  since  she  insists  on 
riding." 

"  No  you  wouldn't,  brother,"  laughed  Anstice.  "  I 
couldn't  afford  to  have  the  jealousy  of  the  savage 
lover  aroused  in  that  way.  Besides,  it  is  absurd  to 
regard  Nita  as  though  she  were  a  daughter  of  civili- 
zation, needing  to  have  every  step  carefully  guarded. 
In  spite  of  her  sweetness,  and  the  readiness  with 
which  she  has  fallen  into  our  ways,  she  is  still  so 
much  of  an  Indian  as  to  be  more  at  home  in  the 
trackless  forest,  than  in  the  cliaco  of  the  Iste-hatke, 
as  she  is  pleased  to  term  the  house  of  the  white  man. 
So  let  her  alone,  brother;  for,  if  she  is  to  be  the  wife 
of  an  Indian,  the  more  she  retains  of  her  Indian 
habits,  the  better  it  will  be  for  her." 

Thus  Nita  was  allowed  to  go  her  own  way.  And 
when,  at  sunset,  she  had  not  returned,  but  little  un- 
easiness was  felt  in  the  great  house  on  her  account, 
though  Anstice  did  sit  with  her  gaze  fixed  on  the 
long  avenue  up  which  she  expected  each  moment  to 
see  the  truant  appear. 

A  few  minutes  later  her  uneasiness  was  exchanged 
for  alarm,  as  one  of  the  stable  boys  came  running  to 
the  house  to  report  that  Ko-ee,  the  pony,  had  shortly 
before  appeared  at  the  stables,  riderless  and  alone, 


288  THROUGH  SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

though  still  saddled  and  bridled,  and  that  Miss  Nita 
was  nowhere  to  be  seen. 

Filled  with  dismay  at  this  report,  Ralph  Boyd 
and  his  sister  hastened  to  the  stables,  and  there 
were  greeted  by  the  further  news  that  four  of  the 
best  horses  belonging  to  the  plantation  were  miss- 
ing. This  had  only  been  discoA^ered  when  one 
of  the  stable  boys  went  to  the  field  into  which 
all  the  horses  not  in  use  were  turned  during  the 
daytime,  to  drive  them  up  for  the  night. 

By  this  time  a  group  of  excited  negroes  was  col- 
lected, and  it  seemed  as  though  it  had  only  needed 
the  starting  of  disquieting  reports  to  cause  others  to 
come  pouring  in.  It  now  appeared  that  saddles  and 
bridles  had  been  stolen,  that  provisions  had  disap- 
peared, that  a  boat  was  missing  from  the  river  bank, 
that  unaccountable  noises  had  been  heard,  and  mys- 
terious forms  had  been  seen  at  night,  in  various  parts 
of  the  plantation. 

When  Boyd  sternly  demanded  why  he  had  not 
been  informed  of  these  things  before,  the  negroes 
replied  that  they  had  not  dared  offend  their  Indian 
friends,  whom  they  believed  to  be  at  the  bottom  of 
all  the  trouble. 

"If  Indians  are  prowling  about  here,  the  sooner 
we  locate  them  and  discover  their  intentions,  the 
better,"  announced  the  proprietor,  "and  if  Miss  Nita 
has  come  to  any  grief  from  which  we  can  extricate 
her,  the  sooner  we  do  that,  the  better  also." 


FOLLOWING  A   MYSTERIOUS   TRAIL  289 

With  this,  he  armed  himself  and  a  dozen  or  so 
of  the  more  trusted  negroes,  provided  a  dozen  more 
with  torches,  for  the  night  had  not  grown  very  dark, 
let  loose  all  the  dogs  of  the  place,  wondering  at  the 
time  why  they  had  not  given  an  alarm  long  before, 
and  thus  accompanied  made  a  thorough  examination 
of  all  Nita's  known  haunts  within  the  limits  of  the 
plantation.  Midnight  had  passed  ere  the  fruitless 
search  was  ended,  and  the  young  man  returned 
wearily  to  the  great  house. 

"It  is  my  honest  conviction,"  he  declared  to  An- 
stice,  as  she  hovered  about  him  with  things  to  eat 
and  to  drink,  "  that  Nita  has  met  some  band  of  In- 
dians and  gone  off  with  them.  I  shouldn't  be  sur- 
prised to  learn  that  Coacoochee  had  sent  for  her, 
or  even  come  for  her  himself." 

"  I  don't  believe  any  such  thing,"  said  Anstice, 
decidedly.  "  She  would  never  have  gone  off  with- 
out bidding  us  good-bye.  Nor  do  I  believe  that 
Coacoochee  would  take,  or  allow  to  be  taken,  one 
pin's  worth  of  property  belonging  to  you.  What- 
ever has  happened  to  Nita,  and  I  am  afraid  it  is 
something  dreadful,  she  has  not  left  us  in  this  state 
of  suspense  of  her  own  free  will. " 

"  Well,"  replied  the  other,  "  I  am  too  tired  to  dis- 
cuss the  question  further  to-night,  and  perhaps  day- 
light will  aid  us  in  solving  it." 

Soon  after  sunrise  the  next  morning,  according  to 
his  promise  of  returning  on  the  third  day,  Lieutenant 


290  THROUGH  SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

Douglass,  heading  an  escort  of  troopers,  and  accom- 
panied by  one  of  the  most  experienced  scouts  in 
Florida,  reached  the  plantation.  While  at  breakfast 
he  gathered  all  the  known  details  of  Avhat  had 
happened  on  the  previous  evening.  Then  he  asked 
which  of  Nita's  usual  haunts  she  would  have  been 
most  likely  to  visit  the  afternoon  before. 

"  The  magnolia  spring,"  replied  Anstice,  without 
hesitation.  "  She  was  going  in  that  direction  when 
last  seen." 

"  Let  us  take  a  look  at  the  magnolia  spring,  then, 
and  see  if  Redmond,  my  scout,  can  discover  any  signs 
of  her  having  been  there." 

So  they  four,  the  Boyds,  Douglass,  and  the  scout, 
visited  the  bubbling  spring  beside  which  Nita  was 
known  to  have  passed  so  much  of  her  time.  Within 
two  minutes  the  scout  pointed  out  a  place  in  a 
thicket  but  a  short  distance  from  the  spring,  where 
a  struggle  had  taken  place,  and  from  which  a  plainly 
marked  trail  led  through  the  undergrowth  toward 
the  river. 

"  There  were  only  two  men,"  he  said,  "  and  they 
warn't  Injuns,  for  no  redskin  ever  left  such  a  trail 
as  that.  Besides,  Injuns  don't  wear  boots,  which 
them  as  was  here  yesterday  did.  It's  my  belief  that 
them  men  has  made  off  with  the  girl.  Leastways, 
one  of  'em  carried  something  heavy;  but  they've 
been  mighty  careful  not  to  let  her  make  any  foot- 
prints." 


FOLLOWING   A   MYSTERIOUS  TRAIL  291 

The  trail  was  followed  to  a  place  on  the  river- 
bank  where  a  boat  had  been  concealed,  and  from 
signs  nndistingnishable  to  untrained  eyes,  the  scout 
described  the  craft  so  minutely,  that  Ralph  Boyd 
knew  it  to  be  the  one  missing  from  his  own  little 
fleet. 

"  But  what  have  white  men  got  to  do  with  this 
business  ?  "  the  latter  asked,  in  perplexity,  and  un- 
willing to  drop  his  Indian  theory. 

"Dunno,  cap'n,"  replied  the  scout;  "but  you  can 
take  my  word  for  it,  that  white  men  have  been,  and 
Injuns  hasn't.  Yes,  they  have  too  !  "  he  cried,  as 
at  that  instant  his  eye  lighted  on  another,  almost 
illegible  print,  near  where  the  boat  had  grounded. 
"  Here's  a  moccasin  track,  and  it  ain't  that  of  any 
woman  either.  What  I  want  now  is  to  have  a  look 
on  the  other  side." 

In  compliance  with  this  desire,  a  boat  was  procured, 
and  the  whole  party  crossed  the  river.  Then  a  short 
search  located  the  point  where  the  other  boat  had 
landed.  It  also  disclosed  a  most  puzzling  trail,  for 
here  were  the  prints  of  four  pairs  of  booted  feet 
instead  of  two,  while  no  trace  of  moccasins  was  to 
be  found.  The  trail  led  from  the  water's  edge  to 
a  grove  in  which  four  horses  had  been  tied  to  trees, 
and  from  there  it  bore  away  to  the  southwest. 

"  They're  headed  for  the  Tampa  road,"  remarked 
the  scout ;  "  and  I  reckon  Tampa's  where  they're 
bound  for." 


292  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

"  Then  we'll  have  a  chance  to  find  out  something 
more  about  them,"  said  Douglass ;  "for  I  must  be  a 
long  way  toward  Tampa  before  another  nightfall." 

"  By  Jove,  old  man !  I'm  going  with  you,"  de- 
clared Ralph  Boyd ;  "  I  want  to  know  something 
more  of  this  affair  myself." 

"If  you  go,  Ralph,  I  shall  go  too,"  announced 
Anstice,  firmly.  "I'm  not  going  to  be  left  here 
alone  again.  Besides,  I  am  as  anxious  to  find  out 
what  has  become  of  poor  Nita  as  you  are,  and  I 
have  always  wanted  to  visit  Tampa." 

As  Douglass  assured  his  friends  that  nothing 
would  afford  him  greater  pleasure  than  to  have  them 
accompany  him,  and  joined  with  Anstice  in  her  plea, 
Ralph  Boyd  reluctantly  gave  consent  for  his  sister 
to  form  one  of  the  party.  Thus,  before  they  re- 
gained their  own  side  of  the  river,  all  details  of  the 
proposed  trip  were  arranged. 

While  Anstice  was  making  her  preparations  for 
departure,  her  brother  summoned  the  entire  working 
force  of  the  plantation,  and  telling  them  that  he  had 
reason  to  believe  the  recent  thefts  to  have  been  com- 
mitted by  white  men,  asked  if  any  of  them  could 
remember  having  seen  any  strange  white  man  about 
the  place  within  a  week. 

All  denied  having  done  so,  save  one  of  the  old 
field  hands,  who  hesitatingly  admitted  that  he  had 
seen  the  ghost  of  a  white  man,  on  the  night  of  the 
"  Norther." 


FOLLOWING  A  MYSTERIOUS  TRAIL  293 

"  Where  did  you  see  it  ?  "  demanded  Boyd. 

"At  de  do'  ob  de  chickun  house." 

"  What  were  you  doing  there  ?  " 

"  Jes'  projeckin'  roun'." 

"  How  do  you  know  it  was  a  ghost,  and  not  a  live 
man?  " 

"  Kase  I  seen  him  by  de  light  ob  de  moon,  an  kase 
I  uster  know  him  when  he  war  alive." 

"  Whose  ghost  do  you  think  it  was  ?  " 

"Marse  Troup  Jeffers,  de  ole  oberseer." 

"The  very  man  I  ought  to  have  thought  of  at 
first !  "  exclaimed  the  proprietor,  turning  to  Douglass. 
"  He  is  not  only  so  familiar  with  the  place  that  he 
knows  where  to  lay  his  hands  on  such  things  as  he 
needs,  and  is  friendly  with  the  dogs,  but  he  is  so 
bitter  against  me  for  turning  him  off,  that  he  has 
already  attempted  to  take  my  life,  as  well  as  that  of 
Anstice.  He  is  now  a  slave-trader,  and,  in  company 
with  other  ruffians  like  himself,  disguised  as  Indians, 
he  very  nearly  succeeded  in  running  off  all  the 
hands  on  the  plantation.  He  has  already  made 
several  attempts  to  capture  Nita,  for  the  purpose 
of  selling  her  into  slavery,  and  now  I  fear  he  has 
•succeeded.  I  swear,  Douglass,  if  I  ever  get  within 
striking  distance  of  that  scoundrel  again,  his  death 
or  mine  will  follow  inside  of  two  seconds.  Now,  let 
us  hasten  to  pick  up  the  trail,  and  may  God  help 
Nita  Pacheco,  if  she  has  fallen  into  the  clutches  of 
that  human  devil." 


294  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

The  plantation  being  left  in  charge  of  old  Primus, 
the  travellers  set  forth,  and,  a  number  of  boats  hav- 
ing been  provided,  they  were  speedily  ferried  across 
the  river,  towing  their  swimming  horses  behind  them. 
On  the  farther  side  they  resaddled  and  mounted, 
Anstice  riding  Nita's  fleet-footed  Ko-ee. 

By  hard  riding  they  struck  the  Tampa  road  be- 
fore noon,  and  Redmond  immediately  pointed  out 
the  trail  of  four  shod  horses,  which  he  affirmed  had 
been  ridden  at  full  speed,  late  the  evening  before. 
Soon  afterward,  the  scout  discovered  the  place  where 
the  outlaws  had  camped.  He  declared  that  they  had 
reached  it  long  after  dark,  and  had  left  it  before 
sunrise  that  morning. 

"  Mighty  little  hope  of  our  overtaking  them  this 
side  of  Tampa,  then,"  growled  Douglass. 

For  two  days  longer  did  the  pursuing  party  follow 
that  trail.  They  found  two  other  camping-places ; 
but  study  the  signs  as  they  would,  they  could  dis- 
cover nothing  to  indicate  the  presence  of  a  woman, 
nor  of  any  save  booted  white  men.  "  Which  is  what 
beats  me  more  than  anything  ever  I  run  up  against," 
remarked  the  puzzled  scout. 

On  the  third  day,  by  nightfall  of  which  they 
expected  to  reach  Fort  Brooke  on  Tampa  Bay,  the 
plainly  marked  trail  came  to  a  sudden  ending, 
amid  a  confusion  of  signs  that  Redmond  quickly 
interpreted. 

"  They  were  jumped  here  by  a  war-party  of  Reds," 


FOLLOWING  A   MYSTERIOUS  TRAIL  295 

he  said,  "  were  captured  without  making  a  show  of 
fight,  and  have  been  toted  off  to  the  northward. 
Would  you  mind,  sir,  if  I  followed  this  new  trail  a 
few  miles,  not  to  exceed  five  ?  I  might  learn  some- 
thing of  importance  from  it." 

"  No,"  replied  Douglass.  "We  can  afford  to  rest 
the  horses  here  for  an  hour  or  two,  and  I  will  go  with 
you." 

"  So  will  I,  if  you  have  no  objection,"  said  Boyd. 

The  three  went  on  foot  swiftly  and  in  silence  for 
about  three  miles,  then  the  guide  suddenly  stopped 
and  held  up  his  hand  for  caution.  Creeping  noise- 
lessly to  his  side,  the  others  peered  in  the  direction 
he  was  pointing,  and  there  beheld  a  scene  of  horror 
that  neither  of  them  forgot  so  long  as  he  lived. 


CHAPTER   XXXV 

FATE   OF   THE   SLAVE-CATCHERS 

For  some  time,  Boycl,  Douglass,  and  the  scout  had 
been  aware  of  an  odor,  pungent  and  sickening ;  but 
neither  of  the  two  former  had  been  able  to  determine 
its  character.  Now,  as  they  gazed  into  an  opening 
in  the  pine  forest,  beside  a  small  pond,  its  hideous 
cause  was  instantly  apparent.  Although  there  was 
no  sign  of  human  life,  there  was  ample  evidence 
that  human  beings,  engaged  in  the  perpetration  of 
an  awful  tragedy,  had  occupied  the  place  but  a  few 
hours  before.  Chief  est  of  this  evidence  were  the 
charred  remains  of  two  human  bodies,  fastened  and 
supported  by  chains  to  the  blackened  trunks  of  two 
young  pine  trees.  At  the  foot  of  each  tree  a  heap 
of  ashes,  and  a  few  embers  that  still  smouldered,  told 
their  story  in  language  so  plain  that  even  the  civil- 
ian and  the  soldier  had  no  need  of  the  scout's  inter- 
pretation to  enable  them  to  comprehend  instantly 
what  had  taken  place. 

For  a  few  minutes  they  remained  in  hiding  while 
he  cautiously  circled  about  the  recent  encampment 
to  discover  if  any  of  the  Indians  still  lurked  in  its 
vicinity.      At  length  he  reappeared  on  the  opposite 

296 


FATE   OF  THE   SLAVE-CATCHERS  297 

side  of  the  opening,  and  entering  it  disturbed  a 
number  of  buzzards  that  were  only  awaiting  the 
cooling  of  the  embers  to  begin  their  horrid  feast. 
These  rose  on  heavy  wings,  and  lighting  on  neigh- 
boring branches,  watched  the  intruders  with  dull 
eyes. 

"  The  Injuns  have  gone,"  said  the  scout  as  he  met 
his  companions  in  the  middle  of  the  opening,  "  and 
taken  the  four  horses  with  them.  It  was  a  small 
war-party,  all  on  foot  and  without  women  or  chil- 
dren ;  but  what  beats  me  is  that  there  ain't  no 
tracks  of  white  men  along  with  theirs.  Here  are 
two  accounted  for,  but  what  has  become  of  the  other 
two  ?  They  might  have  rid  horseback,  it's  true  ; 
but  then,  it  ain't  Injun  way  to  let  prisoners  ride 
when  they  are  afoot  themselves." 

"  Is  there  any  way  of  finding  out  who  these  poor 
devils  were  ?  "  asked  Douglass,  indicating  the  pitiful 
remnants  of  humanity  before  them. 

"No,  sir,  I  can't  say  as  there  is,"  replied  the  scout, 
doubtfully.  "  All  I  know  for  certain  is  that  they 
was  human,  most  likely  men,  and  more  than  likely 
white  men.  They  must  have  done  something  to 
make  the  Reds  uncommon  mad,  too  ;  for  even  Injuns 
don't  burn  prisoners  without  some  special  reason, 
and  never,  in  my  experience  of  'em,  have  I  run  across 
a  case  where  they  did  it  in  such  a  hurry.  Generally 
when  they've  laid  out  to  have  a  burning,  they  save 
it  till  they  get  back  to  their  village,  so  as  to  let  all 


298  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

hands  share  in  the  festivities.  No,  sir ;  this  case  is 
peculiar,  and  you  can  bet  there  was  some  mighty 
good  reason  for  it." 

As  it  would  have  been  useless  to  follow  the  Indian 
trail  any  further,  the  scouting  party  turned  back 
from  this  point. 

"  If  I  could  only  be  sure  that  one  of  those  wretches 
was  Jeffers,"  said  Boyd  to  Douglass  as  they  made 
their  way  among  the  solemn  pines,  "  I  should  feel 
that  he  had  met  with  his  just  deserts.  Certainly  no 
man  ever  earned  a  punishment  of  that  kind  more 
thoroughly  than  he.  As  the  matter  stands,  I  fear  it 
will  be  long  before  this  mystery  is  cleared,  if,  indeed, 
it  ever  is.  Under  the  circumstances,  don't  you  think 
it  will  be  just  as  well  not  to  tell  Anstice  what  we 
have  seen  ?  " 

"  Certainly,"  replied  Douglass,  "and  I  will  instruct 
Redmond  not  to  mention  our  discovery  to  any  one. 
Of  course,  I  shall  be  obliged  to  report  it  to  the  general, 
but  beyond  that  it  need  not  be  known." 

So  Anstice  was  only  told  that  the  scouts  had 
followed  the  Indian  trail  as  far  as  they  deemed  ad- 
visable, without  discovering  a  living  being,  and  she 
rode  on  toward  Tampa,  happily  unconscious  of  the 
hideous  forest  tragedy  that  had  been  enacted  so  near 
her.  Although  she  was  still  anxious  concerning 
Nita,  she  was  not  without  hope  that  the  girl  had 
fallen  into  friendly  hands,  who  would  ultimately 
restore  her  to  Coacoochee. 


FATE   OF  THE   SLAVE-CATCHERS  299 

At  Tampa,  which  presented  at  that  time  a  scene 
of  the  most  interesting  activity,  the  Boyds  formed 
many  friends.  A  large  military  force  was  stationed 
here  in  Fort  Brooke,  a  post  charmingly  located  on  a 
point  of  land  projecting  into  the  bay,  and  shaded  by 
rows  of  live-oaks,  vast  in  size,  and  draped  in  the  cool 
green-gray  of  Spanish  moss.  Beneath  these  were 
the  officers'  quarters,  and  long  lines  of  snowy  tents. 
One  of  the  married  officers,  whose  wife  had  gone 
North,  tendered  the  Boyds  the  use  of  his  rudely  but 
comfortably  furnished  cottage  until  they  should  find 
an  opportunity  for  returning  safely  to  their  own 
home.  They  gladly  accepted  this  offer,  and  their 
cottage  quickly  became  a  centre  of  all  the  gayety 
and  fun  of  the  fort. 

Just  back  of  the  post  was  a  large  encampment 
of  Indians,  who  had  surrendered  or  been  made 
prisoners  at  different  points,  and  were  now  collected 
for  shipment  to  New  Orleans,  on  their  way  to  the 
distant  west. 

Although  Anstice,  in  her  pity  for  these  unfortu- 
nates about  to  be  torn  from  the  land  of  their  birth, 
often  visited  them,  and  made  friends  with  the  moth- 
ers through  the  children,  she  did  not  realize  their 
sorrow  so  keenly  as  she  would  had  any  of  her  own 
friends  or  acquaintances  been  among  them. 

On  the  day  before  that  fixed  for  their  embarkation, 
Colonel  Worth,  of  the  8th  Infantry,  came  in  from  a 
long  and  finally  successful  scout  after  Halec  Tuste- 


300  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

nugge's  band  of  Indians.  Although  the  leader  of 
this  band,  together  with  a  few  of  his  warriors,  suc- 
ceeded in  eluding  capture,  a  large  number,  includ- 
ing many  women  and  children,  had  been  brought  in. 
These  it  was  decided  to  start  for  New  Orleans  in 
the  morning  Avith  the  captives  already  on  hand. 

The  colonel  who  had  just  concluded  this  arduous 
campaign  was  a  fine  specimen  of  the  American 
soldier,  as  honest  as  he  was  brave  ;  and  a  cordial 
friendship  already  existed  between  him  and  the 
Boyds.  As  was  natural,  therefore,  the  morning 
following  his  arrival  at  Fort  Brooke  saw  him  seated 
at  their  cheerful  breakfast  table,  where,  of  course, 
the  conversation  turned  upon  the  existing  war. 

"  There  is  just  one  man  in  Florida  to-day,  with 
whom  I  wish  I  had  a  personal  acquaintance,"  re- 
marked the  colonel.  "He  alone  could  put  a  stop 
to  this  infernal  business  of  hiding  and  sneaking  and 
destroying  cornfields,  and  running  down  women  and 
children,  if  he  only  would.     His  name  is  Coacoochee. " 

"  Yes,  I  know  him  well,  and  believe  what  you  say 
of  him  is  true,"  responded  Boyd. 

"  You  know  him  !  Then  you  are  just  the  man 
to  aid  me  in  meeting  him.  I  am  to  be  sent  into  his 
country  in  a  few  days,  and  am  extremely  anxious  to 
have  a  talk  with  him.  Will  you  go  with  me,  and 
exert  your  influence  to  induce  him  to  come  in  ?  " 

"  I  am  afraid  my  influence  would  prove  of  small 
avail,  colonel.     You  see,  Coacoochee  has  been  already 


FATE   OF  THE   SLAVE-CATCHERS  301 

caught  by  chaff  and  made  to  suffer  dearly  for  his 
credulity." 

"Yes,  I  know,  and  it  was  one  of  the  most  out- 
rageous—  But  I  have  no  business  criticising  my 
superior  officers,  so  I  can  only  say  that — " 

Just  here  came  an  interruption  in  shape  of  a  lieu- 
tenant, who  wished  the  colonel's  instructions  con- 
cerning an  awkward  situation.  "  You  see,  sir,"  he 
began,  "we  had  just  got  the  prisoners,  whom  you 
brought  in  yesterday,  nicely  started  for  the  boats, 
when  one  of  them,  and  a  mighty  good-looking  one 
for  a  squaw,  darted  out  from  among  the  rest  and  ran 
like  a  deer  towards  the  woods.  Two  of  the  guards 
started  after  her,  and  several  men  ran  so  as  to  head 
her  off.  At  this,  and  seeing  no  other  chance  of  escape, 
she  sprang  to  a  small  tree  and  climbed  it  like  a  kitten. 
Once  up,  she  drew  a  knife  from  some  part  of  her 
clothing  and  declared  in  excellent  English  that  she 
would  kill  any  man  who  dared  come  after  her  and 
then  kill  herself.  I  have  been  talking  to  her  and 
trying  to  persuade  her  of  her  foolishness.  She 
only  ansAvers  that  she  will  never  be  taken  from 
Florida,  and  will  do  exactly  what  she  threatens,  in 
case  we  attempt  her  capture.  She  is  terribly  in 
earnest  about  it,  and  I  am  afraid  means  just  what 
she  says.  Now  all  the  boats  have  left,  save  one  that 
is  only  waiting  for  her,  and  I  am  in  a  quandary.  I 
dare  not  order  an}r  man  to  go  up  after  her.  I  can't 
have  her  shot.     I  can't  shake  her  down,  nor  can  I 


302  THROUGH  SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

persuade  her  to  come  down,  and  the  transports  will 
have  sailed  long  before  she  is  weary  or  starved  into 
submission." 

"It  certainly  is  a  most  embarrassing  situation,'.' 
laughed  the  colonel,  rising  from  the  table  as  he 
spoke,  "  and  one  that  would  seem  to  demand  my 
official  presence.     Will  you  come  with  us,  Boyd?  " 

"  Can't  I  go  too,  colonel  ? "  broke  in  Anstice. 
"Perhaps  I  can  persuade  the  poor  thing  to  come 
down  after  all  you  men  have  failed." 

"  Certainly,  Miss  Anstice ;  we  shall  be  delighted 
to  have  both  your  company  and  assistance." 

They  found  the  situation  to  be  precisely  as  de- 
scribed, except  that,  by  this  time,  quite  a  crowd  of 
soldiers,  all  laughing  and  shouting  at  the  Indian 
girl,  were  collected  about  the  tree.  These  were 
silenced  by  the  coming  of  their  officers,  and  drew 
aside  to  make  way  for  them. 

"This  is  a  decidedly  novel  experience,"  began 
the  colonel,  as  he  caught  sight  of  a  slender  figure 
perched  up  in  the  tree,  and  staring  down  with  great, 
frightened  eyes. 

At  that  moment,  Anstice  Boyd,  who  had  just 
caught  a  glimpse  of  the  girl's  face,  sprang  forward 
with  a  little  scream  of  recognition. 

"  It  is  Nita  !  my  own  darling  Nita  !  "  she  cried. 
"  Colonel,  order  these  horrid  men  to  go  away  at 
once,  and  jou  and  the  others  please  go  away,  too. 
She  is  my  friend,  and  will  come  to  me  as  soon  as 


FATE   OF   THE    SLAVE-CATCHERS  303 

you  are  all  out  of  sight.  I  will  be  responsible  for 
her,  and  shall  take  her  directly  to  the  house,  where 
you  can  see  her  after  awhile,  if  you  choose." 

Two  minutes  later  the  men  had  disappeared,  and 
the  poor,  brave  girl,  who  had  determined  to  die 
rather  than  leave  the  land  in  which  her  lover  still 
fought  for  liberty,  was  sobbing  as  though  her  heart 
would  break  in  Anstice  Boyd's  arms.  The  latter 
soothed  and  petted  her  as  though  she  had  been  a 
little  lost  child,  and  finally  led  her  away  to  her 
own  temporary  home.  Here  she  clad  her  in  one 
of  the  two  extra  gowns  she  had  managed  to  bring 
from  the  plantation,  and  so  transformed  her  in 
appearance,  that  when,  an  hour  later,  the  colonel 
called  to  inquire  after  his  captive,  he  was  more 
amazed  than  ever  in  his  eventful  career,  to  find  her 
a  very  beautiful,  shy,  and  stylishly  dressed  young 
lady,  to  whom  it  was  necessary  that  he  be  formally 
presented. 

He  had,  in  the  meantime,  learned  her  history  from 
Boyd ;  and,  when  made  aware  of  the  tender  ties 
existing  between  her  and  the  redoubtable  young 
war-chief  of  the  Seminoles,  had  exclaimed : 

"  Ralph  Boyd,  your  coming  here  with  your  sister 
was  a  special  leading  of  Divine  Providence,  as  was 
the  act  of  that  brave  girl  in  refusing  to  embark  for 
New  Orleans  this  morning.  Now,  with  her  aid,  we 
will  end  this  bloody  war." 

Proceeding  to  headquarters,  he  briefly  explained 


304  THROUGH  SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

the  situation  to  General  Armistead,  who  had  just 
succeeded  General  Taylor  in  command  of  the  army 
in  Florida,  and  obtained  his  permission  for  the 
transports  to  depart,  leaving  Nita  Pacheco  behind. 

Upon  meeting  Nita  in  Anstice  Boyd's  tiny  sitting- 
room,  the  colonel  chided  her  gently  for  not  making 
herself  known  to  him  at  the  time  of  her  capture 
with  the  others  of  Halec  Tustenugge's  village. 

To  this  she  replied  that  she  and  her  people  had 
suffered  so  much  at  the  hands  of  white  men,  and 
been  so  often  deceived,  that  they  no  longer  dared 
trust  them. 

"  That  is  so  sadly  true,  my  dear  girl,  that  it  seems 
incredible  that  a  Seminole  should  ever  trust  one  of 
us  again.  Still,  I  am  going  to  ask  you  to  do  that 
very  thing.  I  am  going  to  ask  you  to  trust  me, 
and  believe  in  the  truth  of  every  word  I  say  to 
you  as  you  would  in  that  of  Coacoochee  himself. 
If  I  deceive  you  in  one  word  or  in  any  particular, 
may  that  God  who  is  ruler  of  us  all  repay  me  a 
thousand  fold  for  my  infamy." 

Here  followed  a  long  conversation,  in  which  the 
colonel  outlined  his  plan  for  obtaining  an  interview 
with  Coacoochee,  through  the  influence  of  Nita,  who 
he  proposed  should  accompany  his  forthcoming  ex- 
pedition to  the  southern  interior.  At  its  conclusion, 
Nita  gave  him  a  searching  look  that  seemed  to  read 
his  very  soul.  Then,  placing  a  small  hand  in  his, 
she  said : 


FATE   OF   THE   SLAVE-CATCHERS  305 

"I  will  go  with  you,  I  will  do  what  I  can,  and  I 
will  trust  you." 

"  Spoken  like  a  brave  girl,  and  one  well  worthy 
the  bravest  lover  in  all  Florida  !  "  cried  the  colonel. 
"  Now  can  I  see  the  end  of  this  war.  Boyd,  I  of 
course  count  on  you  to  go  with  us  ?  " 

"  And  me  ?  "  interposed  Anstice.  "  Don't  you 
count  on  me  too,  colonel  ?  Because  if  you  don't, 
neither  of  these  people  shall  stir  a  single  step  with 
your  old  expedition." 

"  My  dear  young  lady,"  rejoined  the  colonel,  gal- 
lantly, "the  entire  fate  of  the  proposed  expedition 
rests  with  you,  and  I  made  so  certain  that  you 
would  accompany  us,  that  I  have  selected  as  my 
adjutant  Lieutenant  Irwin  —  " 

"  That  will  do,  sir.  Not  another  word,"  inter- 
rupted the  blushing  girl.  "  If  you  get  into  the  habit 
of  talking  such  nonsense  I,  for  one,  will  never  believe 
a  word  you  say.  I  don't  care,  though,  so  long  as  it 
is  settled  that  I  am  to  go.  Now  I  want  you  both  to 
listen  while  I  tell  you  what  Nita  has  just  told  me  of 
all  that  has  happened  to  her  since  she  disappeared 
so  mysteriously  from  the  plantation.  Nita  dear,  I 
am  sure  you  don't  want  to  hear  it,  so  run  up  to  my 
room,  and  have  a  good  rest.  I  will  come  just  as 
soon  as  I  have  got  rid  of  these  men." 


CHAPTER   XXXVI 

PEACE   IS   AGAIN  PROPOSED 

After  Nita  had  left  the  room,  Anstice  began  her 
story  as  follows  : 

"  On  the  afternoon  before  that  cold  '  Norther '  we 
had  about  a  month  ago,  Nita  was  sitting,  as  she 
often  did,  by  the  magnolia  spring.  Yon  must 
remember  the  place,  colonel.  There  she  received  a 
most  unexpected  visit  from  her  brother  Louis,  whom 
she  had  not  seen  for  years.  He  had  been  sent  by 
Coacoochee  to  carry  the  news  of  the  battle  of 
Okeechobee  to  the  northern  bands,  and  also  to 
bring  a  message  to  Nita.  After  they  had  talked 
for  awhile,  he  had  to  go  on  his  way,  but  promised  to 
be  back  in  two  days'  time  and  take  any  message  or 
token  she  might  wish  to  send  to  her  lover." 

"  That's  who  it  was  then !  "  broke  in  Ralph  Boyd. 
"  Well,  I  am  glad  to  have  that  part  of  the  mystery 
cleared  up." 

"Yes,"  continued  Anstice  ;  "  and  of  course,  Nita 
was  awfully  excited.  When  the  second  day  came, 
she  spent  nearly  the  whole  of  it  at  the  spring.  Fi- 
nally, late  in  the  afternoon,  as  before,  she  heard  a 
voice  calling  to  her  by  name,  very  softly.     Think- 

306 


PEACE   IS  AGAIN  PROPOSED  307 

ing,  of  course,  that  it  was  Louis,  who  feared,  for 
some  reason,  to  advance  into  the  open,  she  followed 
the  direction  of  the  voice  unhesitatingly.  Then 
the  first  thing  she  knew,  a  cloth  was  flung  over  her 
head,  she  was  seized  in  a  pair  of  strong  arms,  and 
borne  struggling  away. 

"  When,  to  save  her  from  suffocating,  the  cloth  was 
removed,  she  found  herself  in  a  boat,  with  two  white 
men  and  her  brother  Louis.  The  poor  fellow's  head 
was  cut  and  bleeding,  as  though  from  a  cruel  blow, 
and  he  lay  bound  in  the  bottom  of  the  boat.  One  of 
the  white  men  was  rowing,  and  the  other  sat  watch- 
ing them,  with  a  pistol  in  his  hand." 

"Did  she  recognize  the  white  men?"  inquired 
Ralph  Boyd. 

"  Yes,  she  says  they  were  the  very  two  who  stole 
her  mother,  and  afterwards  stole  the  wife  of  Osceola." 

"  The  scoundrels  !  "  cried  Colonel  Worth.  "  In 
that  case  they  were  the  prime  instigators  of  this  war, 
and  ought  to  have  been  hanged  long  ago." 

"  Yes,"  answered  Boyd,  "  and  one  of  them  stole  my 
sister,  colonel,  and  turned  her  adrift  in  the  forest, 
where  but  for  Coacoochee  she  must  have  perished. 
The  same  gentleman  also  shot  me  in  the  back  at  the 
battle  of  Withlacoochee,  and  supposed  he  had  killed 
me." 

"  Hanging  would  be  altogether  too  good  for  the 
brute,"  declared  the  colonel,  excitedly.  "  He  de- 
serves to  be  burned  at  the  stake." 


308  THROUGH  SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

"  That  is  what  the  Indians  thought,"  replied  Boyd, 
significantly.  "  But  go  on,  sister.  Did  Nita  find  out 
the  name  of  the  other  man?  " 

uYes,  she  learned  while  with  them  that  it  was 
Ruffin,  —  Ross  Ruffin." 

"I  have  heard  of  him,  too,  as  being  as  great  a 
scoundrel  as  Jeffers  himself,  only  more  of  a  coward," 
muttered  Boyd. 

"They  made  both  Nita  and  Louis  put  on  boots 
before  leaving  the  boat,"  continued  the  narrator, 
uand  that  accounts  for  our  finding  what  we  sup- 
posed were  the  footprints  of  four  white  men. 
When  they  reached  the  place  where  the  horses  were 
waiting,  both  the  captives  had  their  wrists  bound 
together,  and  a  rope  was  passed  from  each  to  the 
saddle  of  one  of  the  white  men.  So  they  rode  for 
two  days,  and  Nita  says  it  was  simply  awful." 

"  I  should  imagine  it  might  have  been,"  said  the 
colonel. 

"  Just  at  dusk  of  the  second  day,  a  lot  of  ambushed 
Indians  surprised  and  captured  them  all  without 
firing  a  shot.  Nita  says,  in  spite  of  her  fright,  she 
thinks  that  was  one  of  the  happiest  moments  of  her 
life.  The  Indians  knew  Louis,  and,  of  course,  re- 
leased him  and  her  at  once,  tying  up  the  white  men 
instead.  That  night  they  camped  some  miles  from 
the  road,  and  when  Louis  told  who  the  prisoners 
were,  and  of  the  many  outrages  they  had  committed, 
especially  the  stealing  of  poor  Chen-o-wah,  the  Indi- 


PEACE   IS  AGAIN  PROPOSED  309 

ans  declared  they  should  live  no  longer,  and  began 
at  once  to  make  preparations  for  killing  them.  Nita 
says  she  isn't  certain  how  they  were  killed,  as  she 
made  Louis  take  her  a  long  way  off,  where  she  could 
neither  see  nor  hear  what  was  going  on;  but  she 
thinks  they  were  burned  to  death." 

"And  I  know  it,"  said  Ralph  Boyd,  grimly. 
"  Douglass  and  I  saw  their  charred  remains  the 
next  day,  and  not  knowing  who  they  were,  I  ex- 
pended a  certain  amount  of  sympathy  on  them,  that 
I  now  feel  to  have  been  wholly  wasted." 

"  Oh  brother  !  and  you  never  told  me  !  I'm  glad 
you  didn't,  though,  for  it  is  too  horrible  to  even 
think  of.  Well,  when  Nita  got  to  the  Indian  vil- 
lage, they  treated  her  just  as  nicely  as  they  knew 
how,  and  promised  to  join  Coacoochee,  of  course 
taking  her  with  them,  as  soon  as  their  crops  were 
planted.  Then  you  came  along,  colonel,  and  cap- 
tured poor  Nita  with  the  others,  and  brought  her  in 
here,  and  the  rest  you  know.  Oh,  I  forgot !  Nita  is 
feeling  very  badly  about  her  brother  Louis,  who  was 
captured  with  her  and  brought  here.  She  says  he 
was  taken  off  in  one  of  the  first  boats  this  morning, 
and  she  is  afraid  she  will  never  see  him  again." 

"  He  must  have  given  an  assumed  name,"  remarked 
the  colonel,  thoughtfully.  Under  the  circumstances, 
though,  I  am  very  glad  that  he  did,  and  that  he  is 
well  out  of  the  country.  1  am  afraid  if  it  had  been 
known  a  few  hours  sooner  that  Major  Dade's  guide 


310  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

was  in  the  prisoners'  camp,  he  would  never  have  left 
it  alive.  In  that  case  my  course  with  Coacoochee, 
which  now  appears  so  plain,  would  have  been  beset 
with  serious,  if  not  insurmountable,  difficulties.  As 
it  is,  I  congratulate  you,  Miss  Anstice,  on  having 
Nita  Pacheco  for  a  friend,  and  look  forward  to  the 
happiest  result  arising  from  that  friendship.  Within 
a  week  we  shall  be  ready  to  start  for  the  country  of 
Coacoochee,  and  I  can  assure  you  that  I  have  never 
anticipated  any  expedition  with  greater  pleasure  than 
I  do  this  one." 

The  first  of  March,  that  loveliest  month  of  the 
entire  Floridian  year,  found  Colonel  Worth's  com- 
mand camped  in  Fort  Gardiner  hammock,  on  the 
western  bank  of  the  Kissimmee  River.  Here,  they 
were  more  than  one  hundred  miles  beyond  the  near- 
est white  settlers,  and  in  a  country  so  abounding 
with  game  of  all  kinds,  including  deer  and  turkey, 
besides  fish  and  turtles  in  wonderful  abundance,  that 
the  troops  were  fed  on  these,  until  they  begged  for 
a  return  to  bacon  and  hardtack  as  a  pleasing  change 
of  diet.  The  heavily  timbered  bottom  lands  were 
in  their  fullest  glory  of  spring  green,  fragrant  with 
a  wealth  of  yellow  jasmine,  and  the  glowing  swamp 
azalea,  as  well  as  vocal  with  the  notes  of  innumer- 
able song  birds.  It  was  one  of  the  most  charming 
bits  of  the  beautiful  land  that  the  Seminole  loved 
so  well  and  fought  so  fiercely  to  retain.  It  was  a 
typical  home  of  the  Indian,  and  one  from  which  the 


PEACE   IS  AGAIN  PROPOSED  311 

soldiers  of   the    United   States   had   thus   far   been 
unable  to  drive  him. 

In  the  camp  a  large  double  tent,  pitched  next  that 
of  the  commander,  was  set  apart  for  the  use  of  the 
Boyds  and  Nita.  Here  Anstice  held  regal  court ;  for 
she  was  not  only  the  first  white  woman  to  penetrate 
that  wild  region,  but  the  first  who  had  ever  accom- 
panied a  command  of  the  Florida  army  on  one  of  its 
"  swamp  campaigns."  In  her  efforts  at  entertaining 
the  officers  who  nocked  about  her,  Anstice  was  ably 
seconded  by  Nita,  who,  though  demure  and  shy,  was 
not  lacking  in  quick  wit  and  a  cheery  mirth  that  had 
been  wonderfully  developed  during  this  expedition 
into  the  haunts  of  her  lover. 

From  its  outset  she  had  refused  to  wear  the  garb 
of  civilization,  and  appeared  always  dressed  in  the 
simple  costume  of  an  Indian  maiden  such  as  the 
young  Seminole  war-chief  might  recognize  at  a 
glance,  and  now  he  might  be  expected  at  any  mo- 
ment. 

The  day  on  which  he  had  promised  to  come  in  had 
arrived,  and  already  was  Ralph  Boyd  gone  forth  to 
meet  him.  Oh,  how  slowly  the  time  passed,  and  yet 
again,  how  swiftly!  Finally,  unable  to  conceal  her 
agitation,  Nita  returned  to  the  innermost  recess  of 
the  tent,  while  Anstice  entertained  several  officers 
with  gay  talk  and  laughter  outside. 

Friendly  Indians,  sent  out  long  before  with  a 
white  flag,  on  which  were  painted  two  clasped  hands, 


312  THROUGH  SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

in  token  of  friendship,  and  with  numerous  presents, 
had  found  Coacoochee,  and  informed  him  of  Colonel 
Worth's  desire  for  a  talk  ;  upon  which  the  fierce 
young  chief  had  laughed  them  to  scorn. 

"  Tell  the  white  chief,"  he  said,  "to  come  alone  to 
the  camp  of  Coacoochee  if  he  wishes  to  talk." 

"Thy  friend  Ralph  Boyd  is  in  the  camp  of  the 
soldiers,  and  sends  word  that  the  white  chief  is  to 
be  trusted." 

"  Tell  my  friend  that  I  am  through  with  trusting 
white  chiefs.  I  have  had  a  sadder  experience  with 
them  than  he." 

"  Nita  Pacheco  is  in  the  camp  of  the  soldiers,  and, 
being  restrained  from  coming  to  thee,  bids  thee 
come  to  her.  She  also  sends  word  that  the  white 
chief  is  to  be  trusted  even  as  she  is  to  be  trusted." 

For  a  long  time  Coacoochee  sat  silent,  while  the 
little  smoke  clouds  from  his  calumet  floated  in  blue 
spirals  above  his  head;  then  he  spoke  again,  say- 
ing: 

"  Tell  the  white  chief  that  in  five  days  Coacoochee 
will  come  to  him.  Tell  Ralph  Boyd  that  on  the  fifth 
day  from  now,  two  hours  before  the  sleeping  of  the 
sun,  if  he  comes  alone,  I  will  meet  him  at  the  pal- 
metto hammock,  one  mile  this  side  of  the  soldiers' 
camp.  If  he  comes  not,  then  shall  I  return  to  my 
own  people,  and  the  white  chief  shall  never  meet 
me  save  in  battle.  Tell  Nita  Pacheco  that  at  her 
bidding   only,   of  all  the  world,   do  I   trust  myself 


PEACE   IS   AGAIN   PROPOSED  313 

again  within  the  power  of  the  Iste-hatke.     Now  go, 
and  bear  to  her  this  token  from  Coacoochee." 

With  this  the  young  chief  detached  from  his  tur- 
ban a  superb  cluster  of  egret  plumes  fastened  with 
a  golden  clasp,  and  handed  it  to  the  messenger.  This 
token  had  been  promptly  delivered  to  Nita,  together 
with  her  lover's  message,  and  now  she  awaited  his 
coming. 

Ralph  Boyd,  riding  out  alone  to  meet  his  Indian 
friend,  felt  almost  depressed  at  the  utter  loneliness 
of  his  surroundings,  in  which  no  signs  of  human 
presence  or  animal  life  were  to  be  discovered.  He 
wondered  curiously,  as  he  rode,  whether  that  fair 
country  would  ever  be  filled  with  the  homes  and 
tilled  acres  of  civilization.  As  he  approached  the 
cluster  of  cabbage  palms  named  as  the  place  of  meet- 
ing, he  scanned  it  closely,  but  without  detecting 
aught  save  an  unbroken  solitude. 

Even  as  he  pondered  on  how  long  he  should  wait 
for  Coacoochee  to  fulfil  his  engagement,  he  was 
startled  by  a  low  laugh,  and  the  young  chief,  with 
outstretched  hand,  stood  by  his  side. 

Springing  from  his  saddle,  the  Englishman  grasped 
the  hand  of  his  friend,  and  after  a  warm  greeting 
confessed  his  amazement  that  any  human  being  could 
have  approached  him  so  closely  without  warning. 

"  I  remembered  the  magic  by  which  your  warriors 
were  made  to  appear  and  disappear  on  that  former 
occasion  long  ago,"  he  said,  "  and  have  watched  so 


314  THROUGH   SWAMP   AND   GLADE 

keenly  this  time  that  I  did  not  believe  even  yon 
could  come  within  many  yards  of  me  without  de- 
tection. Even  now  I  know  not  from  where  you 
came." 

For  answer  Coacoochee  uttered  his  own  signal, 
the  cry  of  a  hawk.  Instantly,  to  Boyd's  infinite 
amazement,  the  two  were  surrounded  by  a  cordon 
of  warriors,  all  armed  with  rifles,  and  the  furthest 
not  more  than  three  rods  away. 

Coacoochee  smiled  at  the  blank  expression  on  his 
friend's  face,  and  said  :  "  From  the  camp  of  the  sol- 
diers to  this  place  have  my  braves  kept  pace  with 
thee  ;  for,  while  I  trust  Ralph  Boyd,  I  was  not  yet 
prepared  to  fully  trust  the  war-chief  of  the  Iste- 
hatke  nor  place  myself  entirely  in  his  power.  Now 
am  I  satisfied,  and  will  go  with  you." 

Thus  saying,  Coacoochee  waved  his  hand,  and  the 
Indians,  who  had  stood  motionless  about  them,  disap- 
peared within  the  shadows  of  the  hammock.  At  the 
same  moment  there  came  from  it  seven  mounted 
warriors,  one  of  whom  led  a  superb  horse  fully 
equipped  for  the  road.  The  young  chief  vaulted 
lightly  into  the  saddle  of  this  steed,  and  Boyd 
mounting  at  the  same  time,  the  two  friends,  fol- 
lowed by  their  picturesque  escort,  dashed  away 
toward  the  camp  by  the  Kissimmee. 

A  few  minutes  later  a  blare  of  trumpets  and  a 
roll  of  drums  heralded  their  arrival,  and  Colonel 
Worth,  escorted  by  a  group  of  officers  in  full  uni- 


PEACE   IS   AGAIN  PKOPOSED  315 

form,  stepped  forward  to  greet  the  distinguished 
guest,  from  whose  coming  so  much  was  hoped.  As 
the  two  war-chiefs  of  different  races,  and  yet  both 
natives  of  one  country,  held  each  other's  hand,  and 
gazed  into  each  other's  face,  each  was  impressed 
with  the  belief  that  he  had  met  an  honest  man,  a 
worthy  foe,  and  one  who  might  become  a  stanch 
friend. 

After  the  formalities  of  the  occasion  had  been 
exchanged,  and  just  as  Coacoochee's  eyes  were  be- 
ginning to  rove  restlessly  down  the  camp,  Anstice 
Boyd  stepped  to  his  side,  gave  him  the  greeting  of 
an  old  friend,  and  leading  him  to  her  own  tent,  bade 
him  enter  alone. 

Thus  there  was  no  witness  to  the  meeting  of  the 
forest  lovers  ;  but  when,  a  few  minutes  later,  they 
came  from  the  tent  together,  there  was  a  happiness 
in  their  faces  that  had  not  been  there  since  that 
long-ago  evening  of  betrothal  in  the  village  of 
Philip  Emathla. 


CHAPTER   XXXVII 

COACOOCHEE   IS   AGAIN  MADE  PRISONER 

Although  the  Seminoles  had  generally  been 
victorious  in  their  battles  with  the  whites,  they 
were  struggling  against  a  power  so  infinitely  greater 
than  theirs  that  the  four  years  of  war  already 
elapsed  had  made  very  serious  inroads  upon  both 
their  strength  and  their  resources.  Their  entire 
force  was  in  the  field,  and  they  had  no  reserves 
from  which  to  draw  fresh  warriors.  They  must 
raise  their  own  food  supplies  even  while  they  fought. 
They  could  not  manufacture  powder  nor  arms,  and 
could  only  gain  infrequent  supplies  of  these  by 
successful  battles  or  forays.  The  fresh,  well-armed, 
and  well-fed  troops,  operating  against  them,  out- 
numbered them  ten  to  one.  Their  entire  country 
was  dotted  with  stockaded  posts,  called  by  courtesy 
"forts,"  garrisoned  by  troops  who  were  continually 
driving  the  Indians  from  hammock  to  hammock, 
destroying  their  fields,  and  burning  their  villages. 

One  line  of  these  posts  extended  across  the  Terri- 
tory, from  Fort  Brooke  on  Tampa  Bay  to  St.  Augus- 
tine, cutting  off  the  northern  bands  from  those  who 
had   sought   refuge    amid   the   vast  swamps  of   the 

316 


COACOOCHEE   IS   AGAIN  MADE   PRISONER  317 

south.  Another  line  extended  down  the  west  coast, 
and  up  the  Caloosahatchie  to  Lake  Okeechobee  ; 
while  a  third  line  commanded  the  Atlantic  coast 
from  St.  Augustine  to  the  mouth  of  the  Miami  River, 
where  it  empties  into  far-distant  Biscayne  Bay.  Of 
this  last  chain  the  principal  posts  were  Fort  Pierce, 
on  the  Indian  River  opposite  the  inlet,  Fort  Jupiter 
at  the  mouth  of  the  Locohatchie,  Fort  Lauderdale  on 
New  River,  and  Fort  Dallas  on  Biscayne  Bay.  The 
last  named  was  most  important  of  all,  because  of  its 
size,  its  strength,  nearly  all  of  its  buildings  being  so 
solidly  constructed  of  stone  that  some  of  them  are 
in  a  good  state  of  preservation  to  this  day,  and 
on  account  of  its  situation,  which  commanded  the 
Everglades  and  the  system  of  waterways  connecting 
them  with  the  coast. 

Under  these  circumstances,  it  is  no  wonder  that 
the  Indians  were  weary  of  the  hopeless  struggle 
against  such  overwhelming  odds,  and  that  Colonel 
Worth  found  Coacoochee  willing  to  talk  peace. 

The  two  war-chiefs  seemed  drawn  to  each  other, 
and  to  understand  each  other  from  the  first.  Dur- 
ing the  four  days  that  Coacoochee  remained  in  the 
camp  of  the  soldiers,  they  held  many  informal  talks 
concerning  the  subject  of  greatest  importance  to 
them  both.  For  a  long  time,  Coacoochee  argued 
stoutly  against  the  removal  of  his  people  to  a  dis- 
tant country,  and  pleaded  hard  for  a  reservation  in 
their  own  land. 


318  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

To  this  Colonel  Worth  replied  that  more  than 
half  the  tribe  were  already  removed,  and  could 
never  be  brought  back.  Also  that,  with  the  great 
tide  of  white  immigration  setting  steadily  south- 
ward, no  reservation  in  Florida,  worth  the  having, 
could  be  secured  to  the  Indians  for  more  than  a  few 
years ;  at  the  end  of  which  time  the  existing  troubles 
would  rise  again  with  exaggerated  violence. 

These  arguments  finally  prevailed,  and  with  a 
heavy  heart  the  young  chief  admitted  the  necessity 
of  leaving  the  land  of  his  birth.  He,  however,  made 
one  stipulation. 

"  There  are  among  us,"  he  said,  "  those  of  a  darker 
skin  than  ours,  but  who  are  yet  our  brothers.  Many 
of  them  were  born  to  freedom  in  the  land  of  the  Iste- 
chatte.  They  have  fought  with  us  for  our  liberty, 
and  have  died  by  our  side.  They  are  with  us  as 
one  people,  and  where  we  go  they  must  also  go.  If 
Coacoochee  surrenders,  and  exerts  his  influence  for 
the  removal  of  his  people,  it  is  only  on  condition  that 
those  of  the  Iste-lustee  now  dwelling  with  the  Seini- 
noles  shall  go  with  them,  and  that  no  one  of  them 
shall  ever  be  claimed  by  a  white  man  as  his  slave. 
Are  the  words  of  Coacoochee  good  in  the  ears  of  the 
white  war-chief  ?  " 

"They  are  good,"  replied  Colonel  Worth,  "and, 
were  I  in  full  command,  your  condition  should  be 
granted  unhesitatingly.  But  there  is  another  war- 
chief  more  powerful  than  I,  who  must  be  consulted. 


COACOOCHEE   IS  AGAIN  MADE   PRISONER  319 

I  believe  he  will  gladly  accept  your  terms.  He  is 
now  at  Fort  Brooke.  Will  you  go  with  me  and  see 
him  ?  If  you  will,  no  matter  whether  you  come  to 
an  agreement  or  not,  I  pledge  my  sacred  word,  as  a 
man  and  a  soldier,  that  you  shall  return  to  your  own 
-people,  free  and  without  harm." 

For  some  minutes  Coacoochee  meditated  this  prop- 
osition in  silence.     Then  he  said  slowly: 

"Micco-hatke  [white  chief],  in  the  hope  of  end- 
ing this  war,  and  saving  the  lives  of  my  people,  I 
will  do  what  I  have  said  I  never  would  do.  I  will 
trust  myself  again  within  the  walls  of  a  white  man's 
fort.  I  will  go  with  you  to  talk  with  this  great 
white  chief.  First,  I  must  return  to  my  warriors, 
and  tell  them  where  I  am  going,  that  there  may  be 
no  fighting  while  I  am  gone.  I  give  you  these  ten 
sticks.  With  the  rising  of  each  sun  throw  one  away. 
When  all  are  gone,  Coacoochee  will  come  again,  and 
go  with  his  white  brother  to  the  place  of  the  great 
white  chief." 

So  the  Wildcat  left  the  camp  of  the  soldiers  as 
free  as  he  had  entered  it,  journeyed  far  among  the 
scattered  bands  of  his  people,  and  in  ten  days 
returned,  prepared  to  accompany  his  white  friends 
to  the  place  from  which  they  had  set  forth  in  search 
of  him. 

At  Tampa,  General  Armistead  expressed  himself 
as  greatly  impressed  with  the  manliness  and  evident 
sincerity  of  the  young  chief.     He  readily  consented 


320  THROUGH  SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

to  the  condition  imposed,  and  bade  him  bring  in  his 
people  at  once,  that  they  might  be  embarked  for 
emigration. 

To  this  Coacoochee  replied  that,  while  he  had 
become  convinced  of  the  necessity  for  removal  to 
the  west,  it  would  take  time  to  convince  his  follow- 
ers, especially  as  the  soldiers  had  so  driven  them 
that  they  were  scattered  in  small  bands  all  over  the 
country.  They  would  not  be  gathered  together 
until  at  their  great  annual  festival  or  green  corn 
dance,  which  would  be  held  in  June.  Before  that 
time  he  doubted  if  he  should  be  able  to  accomplish 
very  much. 

Understanding  this  state  of  affairs  perfectly,  Gen- 
eral Armistead  still  desired  Coacoochee  to  go  and 
collect  his  people  as  speedily  as  possible,  designat- 
ing Fort  Pierce  on  the  Indian  River  as  the  place  at 
which  they  should  assemble. 

So  the  young  war-chief  having  renewed  his  con- 
fidence in  the  words  of  the  white  man,  departed 
cheerfully,  and  filled  with  a  new  hope  for  the  future. 
He  had  received  every  mark  of  friendship  and  dis- 
tinction from  officers  and  soldiers,  and  had  been 
given  no  cause  to  doubt  for  a  moment  the  sincerity 
of  these  expressions. 

As  Colonel  Worth  was  about  to  leave  for  Palatka, 
and  the  Boyds  were  taking  advantage  of  his  escort 
to  return  to  their  own  home,  Coacoochee  decided  to 
accompany  them  as  far  as  the  plantation  on  the  St. 


COACOOCHEE   IS   AGAIN   MADE   PRISONER  321 

John's,  where  Nita  was  still  to  be  left  until  his  return 
from  the  great  enterprise  he  had  now  undertaken. 

About  this  return  much  was  said ;  for  it  would 
mean  the  beginning  of  the  young  chief's  long  jour- 
ney to  the  west,  and  of  course  on  that  journey,  from 
which  there  was  to  be  no  return,  Nita  Pacheco  was 
to  accompany  him.  Anstice  had  set  her  heart  on 
having  what  she  termed  the  "  royal  wedding  "  take 
place  at  the  plantation,  and  had  so  nearly  gained 
Coacoochee's  consent  to  being  married  according  to 
the  way  of  the  Iste-hatke,  that  she  already  consid- 
ered her  pet  scheme  as  good  as  adopted. 

The  only  officer  accompanying  the  colonel  to 
Palatka  was  Lieutenant  Douglass ;  and,  on  the 
evening  of  their  arrival  at  the  plantation,  as  he  and 
Anstice  sat  together  on  the  verandah,  while  Coacoo- 
chee  was  strolling  with  Nita  beneath  the  oaks,  and 
Ralph  Boyd  was  entertaining  Colonel  Worth  inside 
the  house,  he  startled  the  English  girl  by  asking : 

"  Wouldn't  it  be  just  as  easy,  Miss  Boyd,  to  have 
two  weddings  as  one  when  Coacoochee  returns  ?  " 

"  Why,  yes.  I  suppose  so.  If  there  was  any  one 
else  who  wanted  to  get  married  just  at  that  time." 

"Well,  there  is.     I  do,  for  one." 

"  And  who  is  the  other,  pray  ?  " 

"  Can't  you  guess,  Anstice  ?  Don't  you  know  ? 
Won't  you  —  ?" 

Here  the  young  officer  caught  one  of  the  girl's 
hands  in  both  of  his,  and  though  he  was  obliged  to 


322  THROUGH   SWAMP   AND   GLADE 

release  it  a  moment  later,  as  the  other  men  appeared 
on  the  verandah,  the  mere  fact  that  she  had  not 
snatched  it  away  filled  him  with  unspeakable  joy. 
It  was  a  sufficient  answer  to  his  question,  and  he 
knew  as  well  as  though  told  in  words,  that  he  had 
won  something  better  and  sweeter  far  than  rank,  or 
honors,  or  position,  or  whatever  else  besides  love 
the  world  holds  most  dear. 

During  the  weeks  that  followed  this  happy  even- 
ing at  the  plantation,  while  Colonel  Worth,  with 
Irwin  Douglass  as  his  hard-worked  adjutant  was  al- 
ways in  the  field,  giving  the  Indians  to  understand 
that  the  vigilance  of  the  troops  was  in  no  way  to  be 
relaxed,  by  the  prospects  of  peace,  Coacoochee,  in 
the  far  south,  was  using  every  effort  to  redeem  his 
pledged  word,  and  persuade  his  people  to  come  in 
for  removal.  He  often  visited  Fort  Pierce,  the 
appointed  rendezvous,  which  was  commanded  by 
Major  Chase,  the  same  who  as  a  captain  had  de- 
stroyed the  swamp  stronghold  of  Osceola.  This 
officer  had  long  been  conducting  similar  operations 
in  the  south,  despatching  small  bodies  of  troops  in 
all  directions  from  his  post,  on  the  soldierly  tasks 
of  destroying  fields,  capturing  women  and  children, 
and  burning  the  rude  roofs  that  had  sheltered  them. 
Upon  receipt  of  orders  to  stay  his  hand,  and  hold 
his  troops  in  check,  that  Coacoochee  might  be  given 
an  opportunity  to  collect  his  scattered  warriors, 
Major   Chase   became   impatient  at  the  loss  of  his 


COACOOCHEE   IS  AGAIN  MADE   PRISONER  323 

favorite  occupation.  So  he  sent  word  to  the  gene- 
ral commanding,  that  Coacoochee  was  so  dilatory 
in  fulfilling  his  promises,  that  it  was  believed  he 
meditated  treachery. 

At  this,  General  Armistead,  who  was  on  the 
point  of  being  relieved  of  his  command,  and  ordered 
to  Washington,  consummated  his  official  career  in 
Florida  by  an  act  calculated  to  bring  a  blush  of 
shame  to  the  cheek  of  every  American  soldier.  It 
was  nothing  more  nor  less  than  an  issue  of  instruc- 
tions to  Major  Chase  to  seize  Coacoochee,  together 
with  any  who  might  accompany  him,  the  very  next 
time  the  young  chief  visited  Fort  Pierce,  and  hold 
them  as  prisoners  of  war. 

Upon  the  retirement  of  this  general,  the  man  ap- 
pointed to  succeed  him  to  the  command  in  Florida, 
was  Colonel  Worth,  then  at  Palatka,  on  the  St.  John's, 
which  was  headquarters  of  his  regiment.  The  dis- 
tance between  that  point  and  the  Boycls'  plantation 
was  so  short,  that  the  colonel,  together  with  his  adju- 
tant, was  in  the  habit  of  frequently  visiting  it  and  shar- 
ing its  bountiful  hospitality.  Here  were  often  held 
discussions  of  the  war,  and  of  the  efforts  then  being 
made  by  Coacoochee  toward  securing  peace.  Dur- 
ing these  conversations,  the  colonel  was  apt  to  sigh 
for  an  extension  of  his  powers,  that  he  might  be 
enabled  to  put  some  of  his  pet  theories  into  practice. 
In  these  aspirations  the  plantation  household  heartily 
sympathized. 


324  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

It  was  only  natural,  then,  that,  on  receiving  his 
unexpected  appointment  as  commander-in-chief,  the 
honest  soldier  should  hasten  to  impart  the  glad 
intelligence  to  his  friends  and  bid  them  share  his 
satisfaction. 

Thus  it  came  about  that,  a  few  evenings  later, 
Ralph  Boyd  gave  a  dinner  in  celebration  of  the 
event,  at  which,  among  other  guests  present,  were 
"General"  Worth,  as  he  must  now  be  called,  and 
Lieutenant  Douglass. 

The  occasion  was  one  of  unrestrained  happiness, 
for  all  believed  that  the  tedious  war  must  now  come 
to  a  speedy  close.  Frequent  blushes  were  brought 
to  the  cheeks  of  both  Anstice  and  Nita,  by  sly  allu- 
sions to  the  rapid  approach  of  a  certain  double 
wedding  that  now  appeared  among  the  probabili- 
ties of  the  immediate  future. 

When  the  festivities  were  at  their  height,  and  all 
were  in  the  gayest  of  spirits,  there  came  a  clatter  of 
horses'  hoofs,  and  a  rattle  of  arms,  from  outside. 
The  next  moment  a  travel-stained  courier  entered, 
saluted,  and  handed  the  general  a  despatch  marked 
44  urgent." 

The  commander  tore  it  open,  glanced  with  paling 
cheeks  at  its  contents,  and  sprang  to  his  feet,  ex- 
claiming : 

"My  God,  gentlemen!  all  is  lost,  and  the  war  is 
about  to  break  forth  with  greater  fury  than  ever  ! 
In  violation  of  our  plighted  word,  Coacoochee  and 


ALL    IS    LOST     AND    THE    WAR    IS    ABOUT    TO    BREAK    FORTH    WITH 
GREATER    FURY    THAN    EVER." 


COACOOCHEE   IS   AGAIN  MADE   PRISONER  325 

fifteen  of  his  followers  have  been  treacherously 
seized  at  Fort  Pierce,  sent  in  irons  to  Tampa,  and 
despatched  in  cruel  haste  to  the  west.  A  transport 
even  now  bears  them  toward  New  Orleans.  In  this 
emergency  there  is,  to  my  mind,  but  one  thing  to  be 
done.  Coacoochee  must  be  brought  back.  With- 
out his  aid  to  end  it,  this  wretched  war  will  continue 
indefinitely.  Lieutenant  Douglass,  within  fifteen 
minutes  I  shall  want  you  to  start  on  an  overland 
ride  to  New  Orleans.  Intercept  Coacoochee  and 
bring  him  back  to  Tampa.  For  so  doing  you  shall 
have  my  written  authority.  Boyd,  pen  and  paper, 
if  you  please,  and  quickly." 

Less  than  a  quarter  of  an  hour  later,  Douglass, 
splendidly  mounted,  armed  with  all  requisite  author- 
ity, and  followed  by  but  two  troopers,  dashed  away 
down  the  long  avenue,  fairly  started  on  his  mo- 
mentous mission. 

As  Anstice  bade  him  farewell,  she  whispered  in 
his  ear:  "Remember,  Irwin,  a  double  wedding,  or 
none." 


CHAPTER   XXXVIII 

DOUGLASS   FULFILS    HIS   MISSION 

In  spite  of  the  undisguised  treachery  by  which 
Coacoochee  had  been  made  a  prisoner  and  hurried 
from  the  country,  the  act  was  hailed  with  joy  by 
unthinking  people  all  over  the  Territory.  These 
cared  not  how  their  enemy  was  got  rid  of,  so  long 
as  they  were  at  liberty  to  seize  his  lands  and  en- 
slave the  negroes  among  his  followers.  There  were 
many  others  who  were  making  too  good  a  thing 
out  of  the  war  to  care  to  have  it  end.  From  these 
classes,  therefore,  arose  a  mighty  clamor,  when  it 
became  known  that  General  Worth  was  determined 
to  bring  back  the  young  war-chief;  and  for  a  time 
there  was  no  man  in  the  country  so  bitterly  abused 
and  reviled  as  he. 

To  the  fearless  soldier,  strong  in  the  rectitude  of 
his  convictions,  and  planning  far  ahead  of  the  pres- 
ent, this  storm  of  words,  prompted  by  ignorance, 
malice,  and  selfish  interests,  was  but  as  the  idle 
whispering  of  a  passing  breeze.  He  cared  not  for 
it;  and  if  he  had,  his  attention  was  too  immediately 
and  fully  occupied  by  matters  of  pressing  impor- 
tance to  permit  him  to  notice  it. 

326 


DOUGLASS  FULFILS   HIS   MISSION  327 

As  the  general  had  foreseen,  the  outrage  perpe- 
trated upon  their  most  beloved  chieftain  caused 
the  Seminole  warriors  to  spring  to  their  arms  with 
redoubled  fury.  Even  as  a  smouldering  brush-heap 
is  fanned  into  leaping  flames  by  a  sudden  fitful 
gust,  so  the  spirit  of  revenge,  burning  deep  in  Ind- 
ian hearts,  was  now  allowed  to  blaze  forth  with- 
out restraint.  Small  war-parties  sallied  forth  from 
every  swamp  and  hammock,  burning  and  killing  in 
all  directions.  Nimbly  eluding  pursuit,  these  could 
neither  be  destroyed  nor  captured;  and  through 
their  fierce  acts  of  vengeance,  the  citizens  of  Florida 
were  given  bitter  cause  to  regret  the  taking  away 
of  Coacoochee.  Such  chiefs  as  remained,  bound 
themselves  by  a  solemn  covenant  to  hold  no  further 
intercourse  with  the  treacherous  white  man,  but  to 
fight  him  to  the  bitter  end,  and  to  put  to  death  any 
messenger,  red,  black,  or  white,  whom  he  might 
send  to  them  under  pretence  of  desiring  peace. 

It  was  now  summer,  the  season  of  heat,  rain, 
fevers,  and  sickness.  Heretofore,  during  the  sum- 
mer months,  the  Indians  had  rested  quietly  in  their 
villages,  and  cultivated  the  crops  that  should  fur- 
nish food  for  the  campaign  of  the  succeeding  winter. 
Heretofore,  at  this  season,  the  soldiers  had  been 
withdrawn  from  the  deadly  interior,  and  allowed  to 
recuperate  in  the  health-giving  sea-breezes  of  the 
coast. 

Now  all  this  was  changed.     While  sympathizing 


328  THROUGH  SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

with  the  wronged  and  outraged  Indians,  General 
Worth's  loyalty  to  his  government  was  too  strong 
to  permit  his  feelings  to  interfere  in  the  slightest 
with  the  full  performance  of  his  duty.  The  time 
for  an  active  summer  campaign  had  arrived,  and  the 
new  commander  was  the  very  man  to  conduct  such 
a  one  with  the  utmost  vigor.  The  Indians  who  had 
taken  to  the  war-path  quickly  found,  to  their  sorrow, 
that  the  whites  had  done  the  same  thing. 

From  every  post  in  Florida  detachments  of  troops 
scoured  the  neighboring  territory,  carrying  desola- 
tion  and   dismay  into    every   part   of   the   country 
known,  or  supposed,  to  be  occupied  by  the  enemy. 
No  hammock  was  so  dense,  and  no  swamp  so  track- 
less, that  the   white    soldier   did  not   penetrate  it. 
During  the  month  of  June  thirty-two  cornfields  of 
from  five  to  twenty  acres  each  were  despoiled  of 
their  growing  crops,   and  as  many  Indian   villages 
were  destroyed.     Even  the  watery  fastnesses  of  the 
widespread  Everglades  were  invaded  by  a  boat  ex- 
pedition from   Fort   Dallas,  which   destroyed  crops 
and    orchards    on   many   a   fertile    island    that   the 
Indians  had  fondly  believed  no  white  man  would 
ever  discover.     During  this   same  month  of   June, 
more  than  three  thousand  men,  stricken  by  fevers 
and   kindred   disease   encountered   in   the   swamps, 
were  enrolled  on  the  sick  list  of    General  Worth's 
little  army. 

By  the  end  of  the  month  nearly  every  Indian  in 


DOUGLASS   FULFILS   HIS  MISSION  329 

Florida  had  been  driven  into  the  impenetrable  re- 
cesses of  the  Big  Cypress,  a  vast  swamp  bordering 
on  the  southwest  coast,  and  most  of  the  troops  were 
recalled  to  their  respective  posts. 

Now,  if  Douglass  had  been  successful  in  his  mis- 
sion, it  was  time  for  Coacoochee  to  be  expected  at 
Tampa,  and  the  commander  moved  his  headquarters 
from  Palatka  to  Fort  Brooke,  that  he  might  be  on 
hand  to  receive  the  exiled  chief.  With  him  went 
the  Boyds ;  for  they  had  become  too  deeply  inter- 
ested in  this  game  of  war  to  remain  at  a  dis- 
tance from  its  most  important  moves.  Of  course, 
Nita  accompanied  them,  alternately  hopeful  and 
despairing,  longing  for  news  from  her  lover,  and 
yet  fearing  to  receive  it.  Their  old  cottage  being 
again  placed  at  their  disposal,  the  Boyds  were  at 
once  as  comfortably  established  as  though  they  had 
never  left  it. 

On  the  third  of  July,  a  strange  sail  was  reported 
beating  slowly  up  the  bay,  and  that  same  evening 
Lieutenant  Irwin  Douglass,  in  speckless  uniform, 
walked  into  the  Boyds'  cottage,  as  quietly  as  though 
he  had  left  it  but  an  hour  before.  As  he  entered, 
Anstice  was  the  first  to  discover  him,  and  sprang  to 
his  side. 

"  Irwin  Douglass  !  "  she  cried.  "  Have  you  brought 
Coacoochee  back  with  you?     Tell  me  quick  !  " 

Close  behind  her  stood  Nita,  silent  and  motionless, 
but  with  shining  eyes  that  gained  the  coveted  in- 


330  THKOUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

formation  from  the  young  officer's  face  long  before 
tie  could  give  it  in  words. 

"  Didn't  you  say  it  must  be  a  double  wedding  or 
none  ?  "  he  asked,  laughingly. 

"  Yes.     Tell  us  quick  !  " 

u  Well,  I  didn't  know  of  any  one  besides  yourself 
who  wished  to  get  married,  except  Nita." 

"  You  horrid  man  !     Why  don't  you  tell  us?  " 

"And  as  I  didn't  suppose  she  would  accept  any 
other  Indian  —  " 

"You  brought  Coacoochee  back  with  you? " 

"I  didn't  say  so." 

"  But  you  have !  You  know  you  have  ;  for  you 
would  never  have  dared  come  here  if  you  hadn't." 

"  Well  then,  I  have,  and  he  is  aboard  the  transport 
out  there  in  the  bay,  alive,  hearty,  and  filled  with 
happiness  at  once  more  breathing  his  native  air." 

"  Irwin  Douglass,  you  are  a  dear  fellow,  and  I  love 
you !  which  is  more  than  I  ever  admitted  before, 
except  to  Coacoochee,"  cried  Anstice,  throwing  her 
arms  about  Nita  and  hugging  her  in  her  excite- 
ment. "  But  why  didn't  you  bring  him  ashore  ? 
Didn't  you  suppose  we  wanted  to  see  him?  And 
didn't  you  know  that  poor  Nita  was  wearing  her 
heart  out  with  suspense  ? " 

"I  feared  so,  but  I  couldn't  help  it.  You  see, 
when  a  man  in  the  military  business  runs  up  against 
orders,  he  finds  them  mighty  stubborn  facts,  and 
not  lightly  to  be  turned  aside.     So  as  I  had  orders 


DOUGLASS   FULFILS   HIS   MISSION  331 

to  leave  our  friend  under  guard  aboard  ship,  until 
he  had  been  visited  by  the  commanding  general, 
I  thought  it  better  to  obey  them." 

"  Never  mind,  dear,"  said  Anstice,  turning  consol- 
ingly to  Nita.  "  We  will  have  him  ashore  to-morrow, 
and  his  coming  will  be  a  fitting  celebration  of  the 
Fourth  of  July  that  the  Americans  make  so  much 
fuss  over." 

On  the  morrow,  the  general,  accompanied  by  his 
staff,  together  with  Douglass  and  Boyd,  visited  Coa- 
coochee  on  board  the  transport.  As  these  gained  the 
deck,  they  beheld  the  distinguished  prisoner  thin  and 
haggard,  with  manacles  on  both  wrists  and  ankles, 
but  still  standing  straight  and  undaunted,  with  eyes 
gazing  beyond  them  and  fixed  on  the  dear  land  that 
he  had  thought  never  to  see  again. 

Stepping  directly  to  him,  General  Worth  grasped 
his  hand,  saying  : 

"  Coacoochee,  I  take  you  by  the  hand  as  a  warrior 
and  a  brave  man,  who  has  fought  long  and  with  a 
strong  heart  for  his  country.  You  were  not  captured 
and  sent  away  by  my  orders,  but  by  the  orders  of 
the  great  chief  who  was  then  in  command.  Now 
I  am  in  command,  and  by  my  order  have  you 
been  brought  back  to  your  own  land  that  you  may 
give  it  the  peace  you  promised  me.  For  nearly 
five  years  has  there  been  war  between  the  white 
man  and  the  red  man.  Now  that  war  must  end, 
and  you  are  the  man  who  must  end  it.     You  will 


332  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

not  be  allowed  to  go  free  until  your  whole  band 
has  come  in,  ready  for  removal  to  the  west.  You 
may  send  a  talk  to  them  by  three,  or  even  five,  of 
your  young  men.  You  shall  state  the  number  of 
days  required  for  your  people  to  come  in.  If  they 
are  all  here  within  the  limit  of  time  fixed,  you  shall 
be  set  at  liberty,  and  allowed  to  go  on  shore  to  them. 
If  they  are  not  here  by  the  last  day  appointed,  then 
shall  its  setting  sun  see  you,  and  those  with  you, 
hanging  from  the  yards  of  this  vessel  with  the  irons 
still  on  your  hands  and  feet.  I  do  not  tell  you  this 
to  frighten  you.  You  are  too  brave  a  man  for  that. 
I  say  it  because  I  mean  it,  and  shall  do  as  I  say. 
This  war  must  end,  and  you  must  end  it." 

For  some  minutes  there  was  a  dead  silence,  as  the 
company  reflected  on  the  terrible  words  they  had 
just  heard,  and  Coacoochee's  breast  heaved  with 
emotion  he  struggled  to  control.  At  length  he 
said : 

"  Micco-hatke,  you  are  a  great  chief,  and  I  believe 
you  are  an  honest  man.  Other  white  men  have 
lied  to  me  and  cheated  me.  They  could  not  over- 
come Coacoochee  in  battle,  so  they  captured  him 
by  their  lying  words.  With  you  it  is  not  so.  I 
will  trust  you.  Let  my  young  men  go.  If  in 
thirty  days  the  warriors  of  Coacoochee  have  not 
obeyed  his  voice  and  come  to  him,  then  let  him 
die.     He  will  not   care  longer  to  live." 

After  a  conversation  with  his  companions,  to  whom 


DOUGLASS  FULFILS   HIS  MISSION 


333 


all  this  had  been  interpreted,  Coacoochee  selected 
five  of  them,  and  with  the  earnest  words  of  one 
placing  his  life  and  honor  in  their  hands,  charged 
them  with  a  message  to  his  people. 

Then  the  irons  were  stricken  from  the  limbs  of 
those  five,  and  they  were  allowed  to  pass  over  the 
side  of  the  ship  into  a  waiting  boat.  Coacoochee 
shook  hands  with  each  one,  and  to  the  last  he  said  : 
"  If  thon  meet  with  her  whom  I  love,  tell  her  —  No, 
tell  her  naught.  Already  does  she  know  the  words 
that  the  heart  of  Coacoochee  would  utter.  Give  her 
this,  and  bid  her  wear  it  until  I  once  more  stand 
beside  her  or  have  gone  from  her  life  forever." 

With  this  he  handed  the  messenger  a  silken  ker- 
chief of  creamy  white,  that,  in  honor  of  the  occasion, 
had  been  knotted  about  his  head. 

Among  those  who  thronged  the  shore  to  witness 
the  return  of  the  boats,  none  watched  them  with 
such  straining  eyes  and  eager  impatience  as  Nita 
Pacheco.  She  stood  with  Anstice,  a  little  apart 
from  the  rest,  clad  in  the  forest  costume  that  she 
knew  would  be  most  pleasing  to  her  lover. 

General  Worth  had  told  no  one  of  his  plans,  and  so 
the  girl  did  not  doubt  for  a  moment  that  Coacoochee 
would  be  allowed  to  come  ashore  that  clay.  She  was 
the  first  to  make  certain  that  one  of  the  boats  con- 
tained a  number  of  Indians  ;  and  from  that  moment 
her  eyes  did  not  leave  it. 

As  it  drew  near  to  the  shore,  the  happy  light  gradu- 


334  THROUGH   SWAMP  AWD   GLADE 

ally  faded  from  her  face,  and  in  its  place  there  came 
a  look  of  puzzled  anxiety.  "  He  is  not  there,"  she 
finally  said  to  Anstice,  in  a  tone  that  betrayed  the 
keenness  of  her  disappointment.  "  Let  us  go  ;  there 
is  nothing  now  to  stay  for." 

"  No,"  objected  Anstice,  "  there  must  be  a  message 
from  him.  Let  us  wait  and  learn  what  has  hap- 
pened." 

Boyd  and  Douglass  came  directly  to  where  the 
girls  awaited  them  ;  but  ere  either  of  them  could  enter 
into  explanations,  Nita  darted  away  toward  the  war- 
riors, who  had  just  landed.  With  these  she  engaged 
in  rapid  conversation  for  the  next  five  minutes, 
during  which  she  learned  of  all  that  had  passed 
aboard  the  ship,  and  of  her  lover's  imminent  peril. 

When  the  girl  rejoined  her  friends,  her  jetty  hair 
was  bound  with  the  kerchief  of  creamy  silk.  She 
walked  with  a  resolute  step,  and  her  eyes  flashed 
with  determination.  Speaking  to  Anstice  alone, 
without  regard  to  those  who  stood  near  her,  she 
said  : 

"  The  Micco-hatke  will  kill  him  if  every  member 
of  his  band  is  not  here,  ready  to  emigrate,  within 
thirty  days.  The  Seminole  chiefs  have  sworn  to 
receive  no  proposals  for  peace.  They  will  even 
shoot  the  messengers  of  Coacoochee  before  they  can 
be  heard  ;  but  they  will  not  kill  a  woman.  It  is 
for  me,  therefore,  to  go  with  those  who  bear  the 
talk  of  Coacoochee.     If,  at  the  end  of  the  allotted 


DOUGLASS   FULFILS   HIS  MISSION  335 

time,  every  member  of  the  band  is  not  here,  then 
I,  too,  shall  be  far  away  ;  but,  as  the  sun  sinks 
into  the  sea  on  that  day,  the  spirit  of  Nita  Pacheco 
will  be  forever  joined  with  that  of  him  to  whom 
she  plighted  her  troth.  Come,  let  us  go  and  make 
ready." 

No  persuasions  nor  suggestions  of  danger  or  hard- 
ship could  alter  the  girl's  determination,  or  cause 
her  to  waver  from  her  fixed  purpose.  So  she  was 
allowed  to  have  her  way,  and  at  daylight  of  the 
following  morning  she  set  forth,  in  company  with 
the  five  warriors,  on  her  perilous  and  fateful  mis- 
sion. They  were  amply  provided  with  horses,  pro- 
visions, and  everything  that  could  add  to  the  success 
of  their  undertaking,  and,  as  they  rode  away  from 
the  fort,  every  soul  in  it,  from  the  general  down, 
wished  them  a  heart-felt  "God  speed." 


CHAPTER   XXXIX 

THE  BRAVEST   GIRL   IN   FLORIDA 

During  the  month  that  followed  Nita's  departure 
there  was  in  Fort  Brooke  but  one  all-absorbing  topic 
of  conversation  and  speculation.  Would  the  brave 
girl  succeed  in  saving  the  life  of  her  lover  ?  or  must 
he  die  like  a  dog,  without  ever  again  treading  the 
soil  of  his  native  land?  Except  for  being  kept  a 
prisoner,  the  young  war-chief  was  treated  with  dis- 
tinguished consideration,  and  every  want  that  he 
made  known  was  gratified,  so  far  as  was  consistent 
with  safety.  At  the  same  time,  he  was  still  mana- 
cled, and  his  irons,  together  with  those  of  his  com- 
rades, were  carefully  examined  by  a  blacksmith, 
under  supervision  of  an  officer,  every  morning  and 
evening.  The  guard  on  the  transport  was  doubled, 
and  at  night  a  chain  of  sentinels  was  posted  along 
such  portions  of  the  shore  as  lay  adjacent  to  the 
ship.  No  boats  were  allowed  to  approach  or  leave 
the  floating  prison  between  sunset  and  sunrise,  and 
no  other  precaution  that  human  ingenuity  could 
devise  for  the  safe-keeping  of  the  captives  was 
neglected. 

Ralph  Boyd,  often  accompanied  by  some  officer 
336 


THE  BRAVEST   GIRL  IN  FLORIDA  337 

from  the  post,  made  daily  visits  to  cheer  Coacoochee 
with  his  belief  that  all  was  going  well,  and  to  carry 
him  the  very  latest  news.  On  the  occasion  of  his 
first  visit  he  took  Anstice,  who  claimed  the  privilege 
of  telling  the  young  chief  what  his  sweetheart  had 
undertaken  in  his  behalf.  As  the  stern  warrior  lis- 
tened to  the  simple  recital,  his  face  became  very  ten- 
der, and  a  tear,  hastily  brushed  away,  glistened  for 
an  instant  on  his  cheek.  Then  he  said  :  "  Now  do 
I  know  that  all  will  go  well,"  and  from  that  moment 
he  was  cheerfully  confident  of  the  final  result. 

No  word  was  received  from  the  messengers  for  a 
week,  at  the  end  of  which  time  one  of  them  returned, 
bringing  with  him  ten  warriors  and  a  number  of 
women  and  children.  The  messenger  reported  that, 
but  for  Nita,  their  mission,  so  far  at  least  as  this 
particular  band  was  concerned,  would  have  been 
fruitless.  Upon  their  approach,  the  warriors  had 
sternly  ordered  them  away,  covering  them  with  their 
rifles,  and  threatening  to  shoot  if  they  dared  speak 
of  peace.  Upon  that,  Nita,  who  had  until  then  re- 
mained in  the  background,  boldly  advanced  to  the 
very  muzzles  of  the  brown  rifles,  resolutely  pushed 
them  aside,  and  then  pleaded  so  effectively  with  the 
warriors  who  held  them  that,  ere  she  finished,  their 
hearts  were  softened,  and  they  announced  themselves 
as  not  only  ready  to  surrender,  but  willing  to  follow 
their  young  chief  wherever  he  might  lead  them. 

Coacoochee  had  given  General  Worth  a  bundle  of 


338  THROUGH  SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

small  sticks  which,  by  their  number,  represented  the 
entire  strength  of  his  band.  Upon  the  arrival  at 
the  fort  of  these  forerunners,  the  general  counted 
them,  and  returned  to  Coacoochee  an  equal  number 
of  his  sticks.  From  day  to  day  after  this,  other 
small  parties  of  Coacoochee's  followers  straggled  in, 
and  for  every  new  arrival  a  stick  was  sent  to  the 
young  chief,  who  gloated  over  his  increasing  pile  as 
a  miser  over  his  hoard,  or  a  politician  over  the  in- 
coming votes  that  promise  to  save  him  from  defeat. 
In  the  meantime  Nita,  with  an  incredible  exhibi- 
tion of  endurance,  was  scouring  the  distant  country 
lying  about  the  headwaters  of  the  St.  John's  and 
Kissimmee.  Here  in  little  groups,  the  widely  scat- 
tered members  of  Coacoochee's  once  numerous  and 
formidable  band  had  sought  refuge  amid  the  vast 
swamps  and  overflowed  lands,  which  constitute  that 
portion  of  Florida.  Here,  from  swamp  to  swamp, 
from  one  tiny  wooded  island  to  another,  or  from 
hammock  to  hammock,  the  dauntless  girl  followed 
them.  Sometimes  she  was  accompanied  by  a  small 
escort ;  but  more  often  she  was  alone.  There  were 
days  on  which  she  had  food,  but  many  others  on 
which  she  went  hungry.  The  howl  of  the  wolf  be- 
came her  familiar  lullaby,  while  the  scaly  alligator 
and  venomous  water-moccasin  regarded  her  invasion 
of  their  haunts  with  angry  eyes.  She  travelled  on 
horseback,  by  canoe,  and  on  foot,  scorched  by  noon- 
tide suns,  and  drenched  by  heavy  night-clews  that 


THE   BRAVEST   GIRL   IN   FLORIDA  339 

fell  like  rain,  but  always  the  image  of  Coacoochee 
was  in  her  heart,  as  she  bore  his  talk  from  band  to 
band  of  his  scattered  followers. 

As  fast  as  they  could  be  persuaded  to  go,  she 
sent  them  to  the  far-away  fort  by  the  salt  waters  of 
the  west,  and  bade  them  hasten  or  they  would  be 
too  late.  She,  too,  knew  the  number  of  Coacoochee's 
warriors,  and  kept  a  close  count  of  those  who  had 
gone,  as  well  as  of  those  who  still  remained  to  be 
persuaded.  With  jealous  care  she  noted  the  pas- 
sage of  each  day,  and  murmured  that  they  should 
fly  the  more  swiftly  as  the  fatal  date  drew  near. 

At  length  the  last  hiding-place  was  found,  and 
the  last  sullen  group  of  eight  warriors,  with  their 
women  and  children,  was  persuaded  to  go  in  with 
her  who  was  beloved  of  their  young  chief.  By  hard 
riding  they  could  reach  the  fort  on  the  twenty-ninth 
day,  leaving  but  one  to  spare  for  safety.  The  brave 
girl,  who  had  borne  up  so  wonderfully  during  this 
month  of  suspense,  was  filled  with  joy  at  the  success 
of  her  mission.  At  the  same  time,  she  was  so  utterly 
wearied  that  she  often  slept,  even  as  she  rode,  and 
but  for  the  quick  support  of  willing  hands,  would 
have  fallen  from  her  saddle .  But  she  would  not 
pause.  There  would  be  plenty  of  time  for  resting 
afterwards.     Now,  they  must  push  on. 

On  the  evening  of  the  last  day  but  one  of  the 
month,  the  fort  was  only  a  score  of  miles  away. 
They  would  keep  on  and  reach  it  that  night.     So 


340  THKOUGH   SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

said  Nita  Paclieco.  But  there  were  enemies  on 
whom  she  had  not  counted.  Halec  Tustenugge,  with 
the  fourteen  Miccosouky  warriors  who  had  escaped 
with  him  from  their  ravaged  village,  roamed  that 
part  of  the  country  and  infested  that  particular  road 
like  ravening  beasts.  They  had  sworn  never  to 
surrender  themselves,  nor  allow  others  to  do  so  if 
they  could  prevent  them.  Now  they  confronted  the 
little  party  from  the  eastern  swamps,  and  bade  them 
turn  back  or  suffer  the  consequences. 

There  was  a  moment  of  hesitation  and  consulta- 
tion.    Then  Nita  Pacheco  sprang  to  the  front. 

"  Are  the  warriors  trained  by  Coacoochee  to  be 
told  what  they  shall  do,  and  what  they  shall  not 
do,  by  a  pack  of  Miccosouky  dogs?"  she  cried. 
"  No!  It  cannot  be!  Let  them  get  out  of  our  way, 
or  we  will  trample  them  in  the  dust!  Yo-ho-ee 
yo-ho-ee-chee!  " 

As  this  war-cry  of  the  Wildcat  rang  out  on  the 
evening  air,  and  Nita's  horse  sprang  from  under 
the  stinging  lash,  in  the  direction  of  those  who 
blocked  the  road,  the  warriors  of  Coacoochee,  echo- 
ing madly  the  cry  of  their  leader,  plied  whip  and 
spur  in  an  effort  to  charge  by  her  side.  The  Micco- 
soukies,  though  numbering  nearly  two  to  one,  were 
on  foot,  while  Nita's  followers  were  mounted.  The 
former  fired  one  point  blank  volley,  and  then  fled 
precipitately  from  before  the  on-rushing  horses. 

The  battle   had   been   fought   and  won,  and   the 


THE   BRAVEST   GIRL  IN  FLORIDA  341 

enemy  dispersed  in  less  than  a  single  minute;  but 
it  was  the  victors  who  suffered  the  heaviest  loss. 
One  warrior  killed  outright,  two  more  wounded,  one 
horse  so  severely  wounded  that  he  had  to  be  killed; 
and,  what  no  one  noticed  at  first,  not  even  Nita  her- 
self, a  stream  of  blood  spurting  from  an  arm  of  the 
girl  who  had  led  the  charge. 

So  delayed  was  the  little  party  by  this  fierce  in- 
terruption, that  the  sun  had  climbed  high  above  the 
eastern  horizon,  on  the  last  day  of  the  thirty  allotted 
to  Coacoochee,  ere  the  last  of  his  followers,  travel 
worn,  staggering  from  wounds  and  weariness,  but 
filled  with  pride  at  the  feat  they  had  just  accom- 
plished, and  fully  conscious  of  their  own  importance, 
filed  slowly  into  Fort  Brooke. 

For  days  their  coming  had  been  eagerly  awaited. 
For  hours  they  had  been  watched  for  with  feverish 
anxiety.  Now  the  tale  of  sticks  in  General  Worth's 
possession  was  complete,  for  Nita  had  insisted  upon 
the  living  warriors  bringing  in  him  who  was  dead, 
that  he  might  be  counted  with  them. 

The  soldiers  of  the  garrison  uttered  cheer  upon 
cheer  at  sight  of  these  last  comers.  The  friends 
who  had  preceded  them  thronged  about  them  with 
eager  questions  and  congratulations;  and  the  news 
that  Coacoochee  was  saved,  repeated  from  lip  to  lip, 
spread  like  wildfire  throughout  the  post. 

Ralph  and  Anstice  Boyd,  seated  at  a  late  break- 
fast, heard  the  glad  shouting,  and  ran  to  the  porch 


342  THROUGH  SWAMP   AND   GLADE 

of  their  cottage  to  discover  its  cause.  They  were 
just  in  time  to  greet  Nita  as  she  rode  up,  and  to 
catch  her  as  she  slipped  wearily  from  her  saddle. 

Her  clothing  was  torn  and  stained,  and  her  un- 
bound hair  streamed  wildly  about  her  head.  Her 
eyes  were  bright  and  shining,  but  her  cheeks  were 
hollow,  and  glowed  with  spots  of  dull  red.  Coacoo- 
chee's  silken  kerchief  that  had  confined  her  hair,  was 
now  bound  tightly  about  her  arm,  and  its  whiteness 
was  changed  to  the  crimson  of  blood. 

"  He  still  lives  ?  I  am  in  time  ?  "  she  whispered 
huskily  as  Anstice  met  her  with  a  mingled  cry  of 
joy  and  terror. 

"Yes,  you  dear,  splendid,  brave  girl.  He  still 
lives,  and  you  are  in  plenty  of  time.  But,  oh  Nita! 
if  you  have  killed  yourself,  what  will  it  all  amount 
to  ?  Ralph,  you  must  carry  her  in.  She  isn't  able 
to  walk." 

Very  tenderly  they  bore  her  into  the  house,  and 
laid  her  on  the  tiny  bed  in  her  own  room.  Then 
Boyd  hastened  to  find  the  surgeon,  while  Anstice 
bathed  the  girl's  face  with  cool  water,  and  talked 
lovingly  to  her.  Ere  an  hour  was  past,  the  deadly 
fever  of  the  swamps,  that  she  had  defied  so  long  and 
so  bravely,  held  her  in  its  fierce  clutches,  and  the 
girl,  who  by  her  own  exertions  had  brought  the  war 
to  a  close,  lay  with  staring  eyes,  but  unconscious  of 
her  surroundings. 

To  Irwin   Douglass  was  assigned   the  congenial 


THE   BRAVEST   GIRL   IN  FLORIDA  343 

task  of  notifying  Coacoochee  that  he  was  free,  and 
bringing  him  ashore.  He  hastened  to  execute  it, 
and,  on  reaching  the  ship,  at  once  ordered  the  hated 
irons  to  be  struck  from  the  limbs  of  the  captive 
leader.  As  they  fell  clanging  to  the  deck,  the 
whole  appearance  of  the  young  chief  changed.  He 
again  lifted  his  head  proudly,  his  form  expanded, 
and  he  paced  the  deck  with  the  stride  of  a  free 
man. 

His  first  query  was  for  Nita,  and  when  told  of  her 
triumphant  return,  leading  the  last  remnant  of  his 
band,  he  smiled  proudly,  and  said  that  she  was 
indeed  fitted  to  be  the  wife  of  a  warrior.  At  that 
time  Douglass  did  not  know  of  the  girl's  wound, 
nor  of  the  illness  that  was  even  then  developing 
its  true  character.  Consequently,  Coacoochee  was 
allowed  -to  go  ashore  filled  with  happy  anticipations 
of  meeting  her  whom  he  loved  and  to  whom  he 
owed  so  much. 

He  arrayed  himself  in  a  striking  costume  for  the 
occasion,  and  one  that  well  became  his  rank.  From 
his  turban  drooped  three  black  ostrich  plumes.  His 
frock  was  of  scarlet  and  yellow,  exquisitely  made. 
Across  his  breast  glittered  many  medals.  In  his 
silken  sash  was  thrust  the  silver-hilted  hunting- 
knife,  by  aid  of  which  he  had  escaped  from  the  for- 
tress prison  of  St.  Augustine.  His  leggings  were 
of  scarlet  cloth,  elaborately  fringed,  and  on  his  feet 
he  wore  beaded  moccasins. 


344  THROUGH   SWAMP  AND  GLADE 

A  great  throng  of  people,  including  every  Indian 
at  the  post,  was  assembled  to  greet  him ;  and  as  the 
boat  neared  land,  these  raised  a  mighty  shout  of 
welcome.  As  he  leaped  ashore  and  trod  again  his 
native  sands,  the  throng  drew  back.  Then  with  out- 
stretched arms,  and  his  form  extended  to  its  fullest 
height,  Coacoochee  gave  utterance  to  the  ringing 
war-cry  that  had  so  often  carried  dismay  to  his  foes, 
and  thrilled  his  warriors  to  desperate  deeds. 

"  Yo-ho-ee  yo-ho-ee-chee  yo-ho-ee  !  " 

It  was  answered  by  a  sound  of  hearty  cheers  from 
the  assembled  troops.  Then  the  throng  parted  to 
make  way  for  him,  and  up  the  living  lane  the  young 
war-chief  walked  proudly  to  headquarters,  where  he 
exchanged  greetings  with  General  Worth  as  one 
with  whom  he  was  in  every  respect  an  equal.  This 
formality  concluded,  he  turned  to  the  crowd  of 
Indians  who  had  followed  him,  and  addressed  them 
briefly,  but  in  ringing  tones  : 

"  Warriors :  Coacoochee  stands  before  you  a  free 
man.  He  sent  for  you,  and  you  have  come.  By 
that  coming  you  have  saved  his  life,  and  for  it,  he 
thanks  you.  The  Great  Spirit  has  spoken  in  our 
councils,  and  said :  4  Let  there  be  no  more  war 
between  my  children.'  The  hatchet  is  buried  so 
that  there  may  be  friendship  between  the  Iste-chatte 
and  his  white  brother.  I  have  given  my  word  for 
you  that  you  will  not  try  to  escape.  For  that  I  am 
free.     See  to  it  that  the  word  of  Coacoochee  is  kept 


THE   BRAVEST   GIRL   IN   FLORIDA  345 

strong  and  true.  I  have  spoken:  By  our  council 
fire  I  will  say  more.     Now,  away  to  your  camp." 

As  the  throng  melted  away  in  obedience  to  this 
command,  Coacoochee  turned  to  Lieutenant  Doug- 
lass, and  asked  to  be  taken  to  Nita. 

At  the  cottage  in  which  she  lay,  he  was  met  by 
the  Boyds,  from  whom  he  learned  what  she  had  un- 
dergone on  his  behalf  ;  of  her  wound  incurred  in 
fighting  his  battle,  and  of  her  present  dangerous  ill- 
ness. He  insisted  on  seeing  her  ;  and,  on  being  led 
to  where  she  lay  tossing  and  moaning  in  the  delirium 
of  fever,  the  proud  warrior  knelt  by  her  side,  and, 
hiding  his  face,  wept  like  a  little  child. 


CHAPTER   XL 

A   DOUBLE   WEDDING   AND   THE   SETTING   SUN 

For  days  Nita  Pacheco  hovered  between  life  and 
death.  During  this  time,  almost  hourly  bulletins 
of  her  condition  were  demanded,  not  only  from  the 
Indian  encampment,  but  from  the  garrison,  every 
man  of  which  had  been  won  to  admiration  of  the 
gentle  girl  by  her  recent  heroism.  As  for  Coacoo- 
chee,  he  was  as  one  who  is  bereft  of  reason.  He 
would  sit  for  hours  on  the  porch  of  the  Boyd  cot- 
tage, heedless  of  any  who  might  speak  to  him,  mo- 
tionless and  unconscious  of  his  surroundings.  Then 
he  would  spring  on  his  waiting  horse  and  dash  away 
to  scour  madly  through  miles  of  forest,  before  his 
return,  which  was  generally  made  late  at  night  or 
with  the  dawning  of  a  new  day.  When  food  was 
offered  him,  he  took  it  and  ate  mechanically ;  when 
it  was  withheld,  he  seemed  unconscious  of  hunger. 

The  mental  condition  of  the  young  chief  so 
alarmed  his  friends  that,  one  morning  when  he  re- 
turned from  a  night  spent  in  the  forest,  in  a  cheer- 
ful frame  of  mind,  gentle  and  perfectly  rational, 
they  were  greatly  relieved,  and  welcomed  him  as 
one  who  had  come  back  from  a  long  journey. 

346 


A  DOUBLE  WEDDING  AND  THE  SETTING  SUN      347 

"  Take  me  to  her,"  he  said.  "  She  is  watching 
for  me.  From  this  moment  she  will  get  well.  I 
have  seen  Allala,  and  she  has  said  it." 

They  had  not  noted  any  sign  of  a  change  for  the 
better  in  the  sick  girl,  and  so  it  was  with  misgiv- 
ings as  to  the  result  that  they  complied  with  his 
request. 

Nita  lay  as  they  had  left  her ;  but,  upon  the  en- 
trance of  her  lover  into  the  room,  her  eyes  unclosed. 
She  smiled  at  him,  and  feebly  held  his  hand  for  a 
single  moment.  From  that  hour  her  improvement 
was  steady  and  rapid,  and  from  that  time  forth  Coa- 
coochee  was  again  the  leader  of  his  people,  the  firm 
ally  of  the  whites,  and  unwearying  in  his  efforts  to 
persuade  those  of  the  Seminoles  who  still  remained 
out,  to  come  in  and  submit  to  removal. 

During  the  two  following  months  he  spent  his 
time  as  Nita  had  done,  in  visiting  distant  bands  of 
Indians  and  explaining  to  them  the  folly  of  a  further 
resistance.  He  possessed  two  great  advantages  over 
all  others  who  had  labored  in  the  same  direction. 
He  had  fought  by  their  side,  no  one  more  bravely, 
and  they  trusted  him.  He  had  also  crossed  the  salt 
waters  and  returned  again  in  safety,  so  that,  of  his 
own  experience,  he  could  refute  the  assertion  made 
by  their  prophet,  that  every  Indian  taken  to  sea  by 
the  whites  was  thrown  overboard  and  drowned. 

In  this  service  the  young  chief  often  found  him- 
self in  desperate   situations,  and  he  made  frequent 


348  THROUGH   SWAMP   AND   GLADE 

hair-breadth  escapes  from  death  at  the  hands  of  those 
Indians  who  were  either  jealous  of  his  power  or  dis- 
trustful for  his  honesty  of  purpose.  In  spite  of  dis- 
couragements and  dangers,  he  persisted,  and  as  the 
result  of  his  convincing  talks  beside  the  red  council 
fires  of  many  a  wild  swamp  retreat,  band  after  band 
under  well-known  leaders  and  renowned  fighters 
came  into  Fort  Brooke,  until  only  a  scanty  remnant 
still  defied  pursuit  amid  the  impenetrable  labyrinths 
of  the  Big  Cypress. 

The  Indian  encampment  at  Tampa  occupied  a 
space  two  miles  square,  and  the  task  of  guarding  this 
large  area  was  so  great  that,  early  in  October,  Gen- 
eral Worth  concluded  to  embark  those  already  col- 
lected before  they  should  become  dissatisfied  or 
rebellious  and  without  waiting  for  more  to  come  in. 
Accordingly  the  transports  were  made  ready  and 
the  day  for  departure  was  fixed. 

Now  ensued  most  active  preparations.  For  three 
days  and  nights  the  monotonous  sound  of  the  great 
wooden  pestles  cracking  corn  for  the  journey  was 
heard  from  all  parts  of  the  camp.  Vast  quantities  of 
fat  pine  knots  were  collected  by  the  women,  for  they 
had  heard  that  the  country  in  which  they  were  to  live 
was  destitute  of  wood.  The  entire  area  of  the  camp 
was  illuminated  at  night  by  huge  fires,  so  that  there 
migfht  be  no  cessation  of  the  work. 

The  crowning  event  of  all,  or,  as  the  general 
termed  it,  "the  peace  contract  that  ended  the  Seminole 


A  DOUBLE  WEDDING  AND  THE  SETTING  SUN      349 

War,"  was  the  double  wedding  that  took  place  in  the 
open  air,  under  the  great  live-oaks  in  front  of  head- 
quarters, on  the  evening  before  the  day  of  sailing. 
The  scene  was  as  remarkable  as  it  was  picturesque. 
On  one  side  were  gathered  the  hundreds  of  forest 
dwellers  who  acknowledged  one  of  the  bridegrooms 
as  their  leader.  Among  these  were  proud  chiefs, 
conspicuous  in  feathers  and  gaudy  finery,  stern  war- 
riors who  had  never  known  defeat  in  battle,  plump 
matrons  wearing  many  rows  of  beads  and  silver  or- 
naments, slender  maidens,  and  chubby  children. 

On  the  other  side  were  ranks  of  troops  as  motion- 
less as  though  on  parade,  and  groups  of  officers  in 
glittering  uniforms.  A  superb  military  band  ren- 
dered its  choicest  selections  of  music,  and  the  simple 
,    ceremony  was  performed  by  the  post  chaplain. 

Nita,  fully  recovered  from  her  illness,  and  having 
emerged  from  it  more  lovely  than  ever,  like  gold 
that  is  purified  by  fire,  was  clad  in  the  fawnskin 
dress  of  a  forest  maid,  though  about  her  neck  lay  a 
chain  of  great  pearls,  presented  by  the  commander 
and  his  officers  in  token  of  their  devoted  admiration 
of  her  who  had  ended  the  war. 

Beside  her  stood  the  young  war-chief  who  had 
fought  so  bravely,  and  accepted  defeat  so  man- 
fully, and  with  whose  fate  hers  had  been  so  closely 
entwined  during  all  the  long  years  of  fighting. 

These  two  were  married  first,  and  after  them  came 
the  beautiful  English  girl,  whose  heart  had  passed 


350  THROUGH  SWAMP  AND   GLADE 

into  keeping  of  the  dashing  American  trooper, 
standing  so  proudly  beside  her. 

Ralph  Boyd,  after  giving  away  both  brides,  de- 
clared that  he  could  now  appreciate  the  feelings  of 
a  parent  bereft  of  his  children. 

The  moment  the  double  ceremony  was  concluded, 
the  band  played  its  most  brilliant  march,  the  troops 
raised  a  mighty  cheer,  there  came  a  salvo  of  artil- 
lery from  a  light  battery  stationed  on  the  parade- 
ground,  and  the  assembled  Indians  gazed  on  the 
whole  affair  with  curious  interest.  All  that  even- 
ing there  was  music  and  feasting  and  dancing  ;  but 
on  the  morrow  came  the  sorrowful  partings,  and, 
for  hundreds  of  those  about  to  become  exiles  for- 
ever, the  heart-breaking  departure  from  their  native 
land. 

As  Coacoochee  and  Nita  stood  together  on  the 
after-deck  of  the  steamer  that  was  bearing  them 
down  the  bay,  straining  their  eyes  for  a  last  glimpse 
of  the  stately  pines  that  they  loved  so  dearly,  she 
murmured  in  his  ear  : 

"  Without  your  brave  presence,  my  warrior,  I 
could  not  bear  it."  And  he  answered:  "Without 
you,  Ista-chee,  I  would  never  have  come." 

Across  the  blue  Mexican  Gulf  they  steamed,  and 
for  one  hundred  miles  up  the  tawny  flood  of  the 
great  river  to  New  Orleans.  There  the  followers 
of  Coacoochee  were  so  impressed  by  the  numbers 
and  evident   strength  of   the  white  man,  that  they 


A  DOUBLE  WEDDING  AND  THE  SETTING  SUN      351 

were  filled  with  pride  at  having  successfully  resisted 
his  soldiers  so  long  as  they  had. 

At  New  Orleans  the  exiles  were  transferred  to  one 
of  the  great  river  packets,  that,  with  its  glowing 
furnaces,  and  the  hoarse  coughing  of  its  high-pres- 
sure exhaust,  seemed  to  them  by  far  the  most  won- 
derful creation  of  the  all-powerful  Iste-hatke. 

Being  embarked  in  this  mighty  Pith-lo-loot-ka 
(boat  of  fire),  no  stop  was  made  until  they  came 
within  a  few  miles  of  Baton  Rouge,  where,  by  special 
request  of  Coacoochee,  the  packet  was  swung  in 
toward  the  eastern  bank.  Guided  by  one  familiar 
with  that  country,  the  entire  body  of  Indians  fol- 
lowed Coacoochee  to  the  land.  He  bore  a  great 
basket,  very  heavy,  and  covered  with  palmetto  leaves. 
None  save  himself  knew  what  it  contained. 

A  few  rods  from  the  shore  the  guide  halted,  and 
pointed  to  a  lowly  mound  that  was  evidently  a 
grave.  Standing  silently  beside  this,  and  waiting 
until  all  his  people  were  gathered  about  him,  the 
young  chief  said,  with  a  voice  that  trembled,  but 
so  clearly  that  all  might  hear  : 

"  Under  this  grass  lies  a  great  chief  of  the  Sem- 
inole nation  ;  one  whom  you  knew  and  loved.  He 
was  an  old  man  when  the  soldiers  tore  him  from 
his  home.  His  heart  broke  with  its  weight  of  sor- 
row, and  he  died  on  his  way  to  that  new  land  to 
which  we  are  now  going.  He  lies  cold  in  this 
strange  earth  ;  but  I  have  brought  that  which  will 


352  THROUGH   SWAMP   AND   GLADE 

warm  him.  With  this  soil  from  the  land  of  his 
fathers,  I  now  cover  the  grave  of  Philip  Emathla." 
Thus  saying,  Coacoochee  emptied  the  contents  of 
his  basket  over  the  mound  at  his  feet. 

At  mention  of  Philip  Emathla's  name,  a  great 
cry  of  grief  and  loving  reverence  went  up  from 
the  dusky  throng,  and  they  pressed  tumultuously 
forward.  They  struggled  to  see,  to  feel,  and  even 
to  taste  the  earth  that  now  covered  his  grave.  It 
was  only  coarse  gray  sand  ;  but  it  was  sand  from 
Florida,  from  the  dear  land  they  would  never  more 
see.  Through  the  magic  of  its  shining  particles 
they  could  hear  again  the  whispering  pines,  the 
rustling  palms,  and  the  singing  birds  of  Florida. 
They  could  see  its  shadowy  woodlands  and  white 
beaches.  Its  myriad  lakes  and  tortuous  waterways 
lay  outspread  before  them.  The  fragrance  of  its 
jasmine  and  palmetto  was  wafted  to  them.  Its 
glinting  clouds  of  white-winged  ibis  circled  before 
their  eyes.  The  countless  details  mirrored  indelibly 
on  their  hearts  rose  before  them  in  all  their  alluring 
beauty.  The  warriors  stood  stern  and  silent  ;  but 
the  women  tore  their  hair,  with  piteous  cries. 

After  a  while  Coacoochee  succeeded  in  restoring 
quiet,  and,  with  many  a  backward,  lingering  glance 
at  the  lonely  grave  of  Philip  Emathla,  the  company 
Avas  re-embarked,  and  the  steamer  continued  on  its 
way  up  the  mighty  river.  Turning  from  it  into 
the  Arkansas,  they  continued  up  the  muddy  volume 


A  DOUBLE  WEDDING  AND  THE  SETTING  SUN      353 

of  that  great  tributary,  across  the  whole  State  to 
which  it  gives  a  name,  and  on  into  that  territory 
that  the  United  States  Government  had  recently 
set  apart  for  the  occupation  of  its  Indian  wards. 
Here,  at  Fort  Gibson,  the  journey  by  water  ended, 
though  they  had  still  to  traverse  the  country  of 
their  old-time  neighbors  and  enemies,  the  Creeks, 
ere  they  could  reach  the  narrow  tract  reserved  for 
them,  in  which  they  were  to  make  their  new  homes. 

At  Fort  Gibson  a  joyful  surprise  awaited  Nita 
and  Coacoochee  ;  for  Louis  Pacheco,  long  since 
established  in  the  west,  and  previously  notified  of 
their  coming,  had  travelled  that  far  to  meet  them. 
For  them  he  had  brought  saddle-horses,  while  for  the 
others  a  long  train  of  wagons  had  been  provided. 

It  was  late  on  the  day  after  their  arrival  before 
all  was  in  readiness  for  the  last  stage  of  their  jour- 
ney ;  but  they  were  now  so  anxious  to  press  for- 
ward that  Coacoochee  gave  the  order  for  a  start. 
Then,  vaulting  into  his  own  saddle,  and  with  Nita 
and  Louis  riding  beside  him,  the  young  war-chief 
dashed  away  in  the  direction  of  the  setting  sun. 
As  they  gained  a  crest  of  the  rolling  prairie,  he 
waved  his  rifle  toward  the  infinite  glories  of  the 
western  sky,  and,  turning  his  face  to  those  who 
followed  him,  thrilled  their  hearts  with  the  ring- 
ing war-cry  that  had  so  often  led  the  Seminole  to 
victory  : 

"  Yo-ho-ee  yo-ho-ee  yo-ho-ee-chee  !  " 

2A 


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